Organ transplantation is a medical marvel that saves lives and offers renewed hope to patients suffering from chronic diseases like kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, and heart failure. Moreover, corneal transplants restore sight, enabling individuals to return to normal life and experience a higher quality of life.
The global demand for organ transplants significantly exceeds supply. According to the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation (GODT), in 2022, only 157,494 organ transplants were performed worldwide. Kidneys were the most frequently transplanted organ, followed by the liver and heart. However, millions of patients worldwide remain on waiting lists. This critical shortage is mirrored in Thailand. As of December 31, 2024, the Thai Red Cross Organ Donation Center reported a staggering 7,486 individuals awaiting organ transplants, a number that has steadily increased over time. A significant majority (95%) of these individuals require kidney transplants, with the remaining patients awaiting liver, heart, lung, or pancreas transplants. Tragically, an average of two people in Thailand die each week while waiting for an organ, despite only 946 transplants being performed within the same timeframe.
Assoc. Prof. Taveesin Tanprayoon, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Bumrungrad International Hospital, emphasized the profound impact of organ transplantation at a recent press event titled "Bumrungrad Transplant Services: Where Life Gets a Second Chance." He stated, "Organ transplants offer patients a renewed sense of hope and the chance to regain their full potential, leading to a more fulfilling life. As a quaternary care facility, Bumrungrad International Hospital is committed to developing centers of excellence that deliver the highest quality patient care and exceptional outcomes. Our multidisciplinary teams of experienced physicians and healthcare professionals are dedicated to performing major organ transplant procedures. Bumrungrad is a private hospital proudly certified by the Thai Red Cross Society Organ Donation Center as a leading center for heart, kidney, liver, and cornea transplants. Notably, we were the first private hospital in Thailand to successfully perform all four types of these vital transplants."
Dr. Tatpong Chit-ua-aree, a specialist in Internal Medicine – Nephrology at Bumrungrad International Hospital, highlighted the critical need for kidney transplants. He explained, "Patients with end-stage renal disease, whether currently on dialysis or not, require kidney transplants. A comprehensive health assessment, encompassing evaluations by cardiologists, psychiatrists, transplant surgeons, and other specialists, is essential for all potential recipients."
Bumrungrad International Hospital boasts over 37 years of experience in kidney transplantation. Our comprehensive services encompass early diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease, culminating in kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease. We successfully perform transplants on patients across a wide age spectrum, from children as young as 10 to individuals over 80 years old, including those with complex medical conditions. Our dedicated teams of physicians and nurses provide meticulous post-transplant care. Furthermore, our skilled surgeons travel to procure donated kidneys from external locations, ensuring timely transplant procedures upon organ arrival.
With a remarkable success rate exceeding 90% over the past 2-3 years, comparable to leading transplant centers in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe, Bumrungrad demonstrates a commitment to excellence. This success is attributed to the expertise of our medical teams, the utilization of advanced technologies, and the continuous integration of innovative approaches such as drug allergy gene analysis, minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, and robotic surgery. Notably, Bumrungrad International Hospital pioneered ABO-incompatible kidney transplants in Thailand, expanding access to life-saving care for a broader spectrum of patients.
Dr. Piyachat Pipatpongsopon, a specialist in Cardiology – Heart Failure at Bumrungrad International Hospital, emphasized the critical importance of heart transplantation for patients with end-stage heart failure, a condition that severely impairs daily living. A weakened heart struggles to pump sufficient blood throughout the body, leading to debilitating fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, and a significantly increased risk of mortality (up to 10% per year).
Heart transplantation offers a definitive solution for patients with end-stage heart failure, effectively restoring cardiovascular function and significantly improving quality of life. While a major surgical procedure, heart transplantation boasts high success rates, with patient survival rates exceeding 85-90%. However, the urgency of timely transplantation cannot be overstated, as most patients may not survive beyond 1-2 years following diagnosis without this life-saving intervention.
The Bumrungrad Heart Institute houses a team of highly skilled specialists and a multidisciplinary care approach. Our team includes board-certified heart failure specialists from the United States, ensuring personalized care tailored to each patient's unique needs. With over 20 years of experience, JCI (USA) Heart Failure certification, and the utilization of advanced technologies, we deliver safe and successful heart transplants. In the past four years, Bumrungrad International Hospital has successfully performed five heart transplants, enabling these individuals to return to fulfilling lives.
Dr. Orapin Tanapanpanit, a specialist in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Bumrungrad International Hospital, explained that liver transplantation is crucial for patients with end-stage liver disease unresponsive to other treatment modalities. Conditions necessitating liver transplantation include end-stage cirrhosis with complications, acute liver failure, early-stage inoperable liver cancer, and certain types of congenital liver dysfunction.
Liver transplantation restores vital liver functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and bile production, thereby improving the function of other organs such as the kidneys, heart, and brain. Symptoms associated with liver disease, such as fatigue, swelling, and vomiting, are significantly reduced or eliminated. As a result, patients experience increased energy levels, enhanced ability to engage in daily activities, and a substantial improvement in overall quality of life, including increased life expectancy.
Liver transplant recipients exhibit excellent long-term outcomes, with a one-year survival rate exceeding 97%, a five-year survival rate of 82%, and a ten-year survival rate of 67%. These impressive results reflect the expertise of our medical team and the utilization of advanced technologies. With over 22 years of experience in liver transplantation, Bumrungrad's Liver Diseases Clinic, one of eight specialized clinics within the Digestive Disease (GI) Center, provides comprehensive care to over 42,000 patients annually. Our services encompass the management of acute and chronic hepatitis, liver tumors, fatty liver, liver cancer, and, most importantly, liver transplantation as a life-saving intervention.
Prof. Ngamjit Kasetsuwan, MD, a specialist in Cataract – Cornea – Refractive Surgery at Bumrungrad International Hospital, highlighted that corneal problems, including degeneration, buckling, swelling, ulcers, and abrasions, are significant causes of vision loss. Corneal transplantation replaces the damaged cornea with healthy donor tissue, restoring vision and strengthening the corneal structure in cases of corneal thinning or perforation. Bumrungrad utilizes advanced technologies, such as the DaVinci robot, to facilitate precise corneal layer assessment during surgery, minimizing the risk of complications.
There are two types of corneal transplantation: full-thickness corneal transplantation, which is suitable for patients with damage affecting the entire cornea, and partial-thickness corneal transplantation, which is for those with issues in specific layers of the cornea. Additionally, there are both anterior and posterior corneal transplants, which require highly precise and delicate techniques.
For patients with complex corneal conditions, Bumrungrad’s Cornea Transplant Center has a multidisciplinary team of specialists experienced in a range of advanced treatment techniques, including PTK laser therapy, UV-A light therapy, and annular surgery. These methods can be combined with corneal transplantation to maximise visual restoration.
With the expertise of our medical team and cutting-edge technology, Bumrungrad International Hospital has achieved a 97% success rate in corneal transplants. One year post-surgery, patients continue to experience clear vision, with no reported complications such as post-operative infections or glaucoma—allowing them to regain normal sight and quality of life.