Kidney Transplant Cost in Turkey
At Koç University Hospital, the kidney transplant program costs $24,000 or $28,000, depending on the surgical approach. Donor nephrectomy and recipient surgery may use different techniques. The final approach is confirmed after evaluation.
Program
Cost
Laparoscopic Kidney Transplant Program
$24,000
Robotic Kidney Transplant Program
$28,000
What Is Included in the Kidney Transplant Program?
Medical treatment within the program
Initial consultation after arrival
Preoperative evaluation of the recipient and one donor
Medication during hospitalization
Hospital stay in a private room
Accommodation for one companion in the room
The number of included hospital days for the recipient and donor, ICU care and possible additional charges are confirmed in the individual quote. Flights, accommodation outside the hospital and medication after discharge should be budgeted separately.
Why Consider Koç University Hospital?
Koç University Hospital is one of Turkey’s most technologically advanced university hospitals. Located in Istanbul, it is part of the Koç Holding healthcare ecosystem. The hospital is JCI-accredited and equipped with advanced diagnostic, surgical, and medical technologies.
Koç University Hospital was the first hospital in Europe to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network, providing its medical teams with access to Mayo Clinic clinical expertise, guidance, and specialist consultations in the United States.
Why International Patients Choose Koç for Kidney Transplant
Experienced Transplant Team
The program is led by Prof. Dr. Burak Koçak, who trained in transplant surgery at Northwestern University in the United States. Surgeons and nephrologists evaluate the recipient and donor together.
Robotic Kidney Transplant
Koç University Hospital performs robot-assisted kidney transplantation using the da Vinci Xi system, as well as laparoscopic and robotic donor surgery. The technique is selected individually.
Mayo Clinic Care Network
Koç University Hospital joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network in 2024. Its physicians can access Mayo Clinic clinical resources and discuss selected complex cases with specialists in the network.
TIREX Tissue Typing Laboratory
The TIREX tissue typing laboratory supports compatibility assessment before kidney transplantation. Immunological testing helps the team evaluate transplant-related risks.
Koç University Hospital Organ Transplant Center
The Organ Transplant Center at Koç University Hospital is an established transplant center in Turkey. It combines immunogenetics, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, and multidisciplinary care for transplant patients.
Robotic Kidney Transplant and Donor Surgery
The surgical approach is selected separately for the recipient and donor based on anatomy, previous surgery and individual risks. Robotic surgery is not suitable for every patient.
For the Recipient
Koç University Hospital performs robot-assisted kidney transplantation using the da Vinci Xi system. The surgeon controls the robotic instruments from a console.
For the Donor
The donor kidney may be removed laparoscopically or with robotic assistance. Both approaches allow surgery through relatively small incisions.
Kidney Transplant Doctors at Koç University Hospital
Kidney Transplantation
Prof. Dr. Burak Koçak
Urologist and Director of the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Center. Trained at Northwestern University in the United States and certified by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons in kidney and pancreas transplantation.
Kidney Transplantation
Dr. Başak Akyollu
General surgeon specializing in organ transplantation. She has worked at the Koç transplant center since 2018 and previously trained and worked in transplant units at Memorial.
Kidney Transplantation
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kanbay
Head of Nephrology. Specializes in kidney transplantation, chronic kidney disease and diabetic kidney disease. He has also completed training at Yale University.
Who Is a Candidate for Kidney Transplant?
Kidney transplantation may be considered for patients with end-stage kidney disease when kidney function can no longer be adequately maintained. Evaluation can begin before dialysis or while the patient is already receiving dialysis. The transplant team assesses general health, other medical conditions and whether the patient can safely undergo surgery and take the required medication afterward.
Living Kidney Donor Requirements
For this international transplant program, the patient needs a living related donor. The donor undergoes a separate health and compatibility assessment. Donation must be voluntary. Being related to the recipient does not automatically mean that the donor will be medically approved.
Donor Relationship Rules in Turkey
Turkish regulations allow living donation from blood relatives and relatives by marriage up to the fourth degree. For spouses, a marriage of at least two years is generally required, with an exception when the recipient's condition was diagnosed after marriage. Other donor relationships may require Ethics Committee review. The hospital must confirm the eligibility of the donor–recipient pair and the required legal documents before travel.
Kidney Transplant Process in Turkey
Send Medical Records
Send the recipient's medical reports, recent test results and diagnostic imaging. Basic medical information about the potential living donor is also required.
Preliminary Review
The transplant team reviews the documents, confirms whether transplantation should be considered and identifies any additional tests required.
Relationship Verification
For international patients, the relationship between recipient and donor must be documented. The paperwork is reviewed according to Turkish transplant regulations.
Arrival in Istanbul
The recipient and donor travel to Koç University Hospital for consultations, laboratory tests and diagnostic examinations.
Transplant Team Decision
The team reviews compatibility, recipient health and donor safety. The final decision and surgical plan are confirmed after the evaluation.
Surgery & Follow-Up
After approval, the kidney transplant is performed. The recipient remains in hospital and receives instructions for medication, blood tests and follow-up after discharge.
Life After Kidney Transplant
A functioning transplanted kidney can allow the patient to live without dialysis. Regular blood tests, nephrology follow-up and anti-rejection medication are required for as long as the transplanted kidney functions.
Important: kidney transplantation carries risks including bleeding, infection, rejection and other complications. In some cases, the transplanted kidney may not begin working immediately. Individual risks are discussed before surgery.
The living donor also needs recovery time and medical follow-up. Short- and long-term donor risks are assessed before donation.
Kidney Transplant in Turkey: Frequently Asked Questions
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