Faculty of Medicine Chiang Mai University Performs Thailand’s First Ever Liver Transplant Between Identical Twins
The Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University has announced a historic medical breakthrough after successfully performing Thailand’s first liver transplant between identical twin brothers, both aged 20. The procedure marks a major milestone in the country’s transplant capabilities and offers a rare medical advantage near-zero risk of organ rejection.
The Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University has announced a historic medical breakthrough after successfully performing Thailand’s first liver transplant between identical twin brothers, both aged 20. The procedure marks a major milestone in the country’s transplant capabilities and offers a rare medical advantage near-zero risk of organ rejection.
The elder twin had suffered from biliary atresia, a congenital condition in which bile ducts are blocked, since birth. He previously underwent a Kasai procedure in 2005 to prolong liver function. However, over the past six years, his condition deteriorated significantly, leaving him at high risk of acute liver failure.
To save his life, doctors determined a transplant was urgently required. His younger identical twin stepped forward as a living donor, offering 65% of his liver. Because the brothers share identical genetic characteristics, the donated liver is naturally compatible, allowing the patient to avoid lifelong dependency on immunosuppressive medications—an exceptional benefit not typically seen in liver transplants.
Associate Professor Dr. Sanhavich Chanrangsi, the hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon leading the team, said the procedure lasted more than nine hours. Prior to surgery, doctors conducted comprehensive health assessments and carefully planned the post-operative rehabilitation of both donor and recipient.
“This was a technically complex operation. We had to ensure both brothers were in perfect condition so the donor could provide sufficient liver volume safely,” Dr. Sanhavich said.
The surgery was performed at the Organ Transplant Centre, Chiang Mai University, currently the only medical institution in Thailand conducting adult living-donor liver transplants. Most liver transplants nationwide rely on organs from brain-dead donors.
According to the centre’s deputy director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Worakit Lapvipat, the procedure represents the 62nd liver transplant performed at the university. Between 2023 and 2025, the centre reported a 95% one-year survival rate, comparable to top-performing transplant programs in the United States and South Korea. All donor surgeries have been carried out laparoscopically, resulting in no cases of liver failure and an average donor hospital stay of just six days.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narent Chotirasniramit, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, praised the medical team and emphasized that the successful twin-to-twin transplant highlights Thailand’s growing capability in advanced medical procedures. “We remain committed to innovation and long-term development to strengthen the well-being of the Thai people,” he said.
The patient is now under close monitoring and recovering well, marking a promising step forward for Thailand’s transplant medicine and opening new possibilities for future life-saving procedures.
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