Video Summary
Living with an Inherited Kidney Disease
The patient was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, an inherited condition that affected several members of the family, and began receiving treatment at Bangkok Hospital at the age of 40.
At the age of 51, the disease progressed to kidney failure, leading to the patient’s first kidney transplant. The transplant restored kidney function and allowed the patient to return to everyday life for many years.
Years later, as the transplanted kidney gradually lost function and coronary artery disease developed, treatment became significantly more complex.
Why a Second Kidney Transplant Was More Challenging
A second kidney transplant is more complicated than the first because the immune system has already been exposed to transplanted tissue and can recognize it as foreign.
In this case, the patient also had a history of viral infection and heart disease, making a comprehensive medical evaluation essential before surgery.
The treatment plan was carefully developed to maximize safety and provide the best possible outcome for the second transplant.
Multidisciplinary Planning Before Surgery
Before surgery, nephrologists, kidney transplant surgeons, and cardiologists worked together to assess the patient’s overall health and readiness for transplantation.
The team decided to remove the previous kidney, which contained an abnormal mass, and perform the new kidney transplant during the same operation. This approach was designed to provide effective treatment while avoiding multiple major surgeries.
How Robotic-Assisted Surgery Supports Kidney Transplantation
Robotic-assisted kidney transplantation is performed through a minimally invasive approach that allows surgeons to operate with greater precision in complex anatomical areas.
High-definition 3D visualization and highly flexible robotic instruments support precise surgical movements, making the procedure particularly valuable in patients with complex medical histories or previous abdominal surgery.
A New Kidney That Began Working Immediately
After surgery, the patient recovered well, and the transplanted kidney began functioning immediately after the procedure, with kidney function continuing to improve over time.
The patient remained in the hospital for approximately two weeks before returning home and no longer required dialysis, resulting in a significant improvement in quality of life.
A New Beginning Beyond Kidney Failure
For this patient, kidney transplantation was more than a surgical procedure—it was an opportunity to live without dialysis and regain independence in everyday life.
At Bangkok Hospital, multidisciplinary specialists work together to plan and deliver individualized kidney transplant care, combining advanced surgical technology with comprehensive medical management to support safe recovery and a better quality of life.
