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Mother Thrives After Groundbreaking 'Awake' Transplant
23 Jul
Summary
- Patient remained fully conscious during a life-changing kidney transplant surgery.
- The AWAKE program uses spinal anesthesia to avoid general anesthesia risks.
- This innovative procedure offers hope for patients with anesthesia complications.
A mother of four has successfully received a kidney transplant, remaining awake throughout the entire surgery, a procedure previously impossible for her due to an allergy to general anesthesia. Preeyanuch Chanwongwanit underwent the life-saving operation at Northwestern Medicine's Comprehensive Transplant Center.
The Accelerated Surgery Without General Anesthesia in Kidney Transplantation (AWAKE) program enabled her to undergo the transplant on May 25, 2026. Instead of general anesthesia, patients receive a spinal anesthetic, similar to that used in childbirth, allowing them to remain conscious during the procedure.
Chanwongwanit, who was diagnosed with renal failure in 2019, was released from the hospital just 36 hours after the transplant. She is now free from dialysis and eagerly managing her children's activities and planning a trip to Thailand.
The AWAKE Program is designed for individuals at higher risk from general anesthesia, including older adults, those with severe obesity, heart or lung conditions, diabetes, or significant anxiety about anesthesia. Northwestern Medicine has successfully completed 25 such kidney transplants.
