China's Top Departments: Organ Transplantation at Xi'an Jiaotong University First Affiliated Hospital
National Key Discipline · China's First OPO Academic Department · 8,000+ Kidney Transplants
If you need an organ transplant — especially a kidney transplant — the Department of Organ Transplantation at Xi'an Jiaotong University First Affiliated Hospital is one of China's most experienced and successful centers. As a National Key Discipline and National Clinical Key Specialty, this department pioneered the first kidney transplant in Northwest China in 1979 and has since performed over 8,000 kidney transplants — with deceased donor kidney transplants ranking #1 nationally (3,600+ cases).
The department's outcomes are exceptional:
- 1-year patient survival: 98.3%
- 1-year graft survival: 97.2%
- 5-year patient survival: 88.6%
- 10-year patient survival: 76.6%
These numbers reflect not just surgical skill, but comprehensive pre-transplant evaluation, precision matching, advanced immunosuppression protocols, and long-term follow-up care.
The department also made history in 2021 by establishing China's first OPO (Organ Procurement Organization) specialized academic department — a national benchmark for organ donation systems. With over 200 annual organ donations since 2019 and 1,500+ cumulative OPO donations, the department has developed one of the most efficient organ procurement and utilization systems in China.
At ChinaMed Select, we help international patients connect with Xi'an Jiaotong's transplant team for kidney and multi-organ transplantation. Here's what you need to know.
Signature Strengths
Kidney Transplantation — National Leader
The department is one of China's earliest specialized kidney transplant centers and remains a national leader:
- 8,000+ cumulative kidney transplants (as of September 2025)
- ~500 kidney transplants annually (4th nationally)
- 3,600+ deceased donor kidney transplants (#1 nationally)
- Longest survival: 45 years — among China's longest-surviving recipients
The department pioneered the integrated "three-in-one" discipline framework: professionalization of organ donation, academization of OPO, and systematization of organ transplantation.
Innovative Technologies
The department has developed several breakthrough technologies:
- Low-dose immunosuppressive therapy: World-first protocol reducing immunosuppressant toxicity while maintaining graft survival
- Intelligent kidney hypothermic machine perfusion system: Self-developed, breaking foreign monopoly, outperforming US/EU equivalents
- HLA antibody detection platform: Self-built Chinese HLA antigen bank and specific antibody detection
- Post-transplant infection prevention system: First established in China
- Microplate cross-matching technique: Self-developed
- Robotic-assisted kidney transplant: First case in Shaanxi Province (2024)
What this means for you: These innovations translate to lower rejection rates, fewer complications, and better long-term outcomes. The low-dose immunosuppression protocol, for example, reduces side effects while maintaining excellent graft survival.
Multi-Organ Combined Transplantation
The department performs complex multi-organ transplants:
- Pancreas-kidney transplantation for diabetic patients
- Liver-kidney transplantation
- Heart-kidney transplantation
- Islet transplantation
What this means for you: If you have multiple organ failure or complex conditions requiring combined transplantation, this team has the expertise to coordinate multi-organ procedures.
Organ Donation System — National Benchmark
The department's OPO (Organ Procurement Organization) is a national model:
- First OPO academic department in China (2021)
- Pioneered "four-in-one" working system (Chief Expert + Attending Physician + Coordinator + Evaluation & Procurement Team)
- 200+ annual organ donations since 2019
- Single-hospital OPO donation volume: #1 nationally
- Organ utilization rate: world-leading
This efficient system means shorter wait times and better organ matching for recipients.
Specialized Techniques
- Pediatric dual-kidney transplantation: Pioneered in Northwest China
- ABO-incompatible kidney transplant: Pioneered in Northwest China
- Complex sensitized recipient management: For patients with high antibody levels who are typically difficult to match
Meet the Experts
| Name | Role | What Matters for Your Care |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. XUE Wujun 🏅 | President, Chinese Society of Organ Transplantation (CMA); Director, Institute of Organ Transplantation | National Hundred-Thousand-Ten Thousand Talent (Level 1). State Council Special Allowance Expert. Lead author of China Clinical Technical Standards for Organ Transplantation and 75 guidelines in China Kidney Transplantation Clinical Practice Guide. If you need a kidney transplant, this is the academic leader whose protocols set the national standard. |
| Prof. DING Xiaoming | Director, Department of Kidney Transplantation | Leads the clinical transplant program. Expert in complex kidney transplantation. |
| Prof. XIANG Heli | Deputy Director, Department of Kidney Transplantation | Deputy clinical director, experienced in complex cases. |
Senior Specialists
The department has a deep team of experienced transplant specialists:
- Prof. TIAN Puxun: Senior transplant surgeon
- Dr. PAN Xiaoming: Transplant specialist
- Dr. YAN Hang: Transplant specialist
- Dr. FENG Xinshun: Transplant specialist
- Dr. HOU Jun: Transplant specialist
- Dr. TIAN Xiaohui: Transplant specialist
- Dr. DING Chenguang: Transplant specialist
- Dr. LI Yang: Transplant specialist
- Dr. LIU Zunwei: Transplant specialist
- Dr. ZHANG Jing: Transplant specialist
Research That Wins Awards
The department's research output is nationally recognized:
- National Science & Technology Progress Award (Second Class, 2013): "Key Technology Innovation and Clinical Application of Kidney Transplantation" — rare achievement by a single kidney transplant center
- Shaanxi Provincial Science & Technology First Prize: 2 awards
- Other provincial/ministerial awards: 9
Research output includes:
- National 973 Program projects: 2
- National 11th Five-Year S&T Support Program: 1
- NSFC grants: 31
- SCI papers: 160+
- Core journal papers: 600+
- Edited/published monographs: 28
This research translates directly into better clinical protocols and patient outcomes.
Education & Training
The department is a national training center:
- PhD graduates: 58
- Master's graduates: 101
- Technical backbone trained for other transplant centers nationwide: 2,000+
The department offers one of China's first doctoral and master's degree programs in transplant surgery, with a postdoctoral research station and Ministry of Education Innovation Team.
What International Patients Should Know
Language & Support
Xi'an Jiaotong University First Affiliated Hospital is a major academic medical center. English-language consultations can be arranged. For organ transplantation — where precise communication about your condition, matching, surgical options, and post-transplant care is critical — we strongly recommend working with a bilingual medical coordinator who understands transplant terminology.
Appointment Process
- Appointments can be made via the hospital's official channels or through a medical coordinator
- For new transplant patients, the evaluation process typically takes 2–4 weeks
- Wait times for deceased donor kidneys vary based on blood type, antibody levels, and organ availability — the department's efficient OPO system helps minimize wait times
- Living-donor transplants can be scheduled more quickly once donor evaluation is complete
Cost Estimates
Transplant costs vary based on donor type, complexity, and post-transplant care. Here are general ranges:
| Service | Estimated Cost (CNY) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-transplant evaluation | ¥20,000–50,000 | $2,800–7,000 |
| Kidney transplant (deceased donor) | ¥150,000–250,000 | $21,000–35,000 |
| Kidney transplant (living donor) | ¥120,000–200,000 | $17,000–28,000 |
| Pancreas-kidney transplant | ¥300,000–500,000 | $42,000–70,000 |
| Liver-kidney transplant | ¥400,000–600,000 | $56,000–84,000 |
| Post-transplant ICU stay (per day) | ¥5,000–15,000 | $700–2,100 |
| Immunosuppressive medications (per month) | ¥3,000–8,000 | $420–1,100 |
These are estimates. Actual costs depend on your specific condition, donor type, complexity, ICU stay length, and any complications. International patients should budget for at least 3–6 months of post-transplant care and follow-up in Xi'an.
Important Considerations for International Patients
Visa and Legal Requirements: Organ transplantation in China follows strict legal and ethical guidelines. International patients must:
- Provide documentation of medical necessity
- Complete comprehensive medical evaluation
- Understand China's organ donation and transplant regulations
- Plan for extended stay for post-transplant care
We strongly recommend working with ChinaMed Select to navigate these requirements and ensure a smooth process.
Getting There
- Address: 277 West Yanta Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
- Department Phone: +86-29-85323955
- Hospital Switchboard: +86-29-85323112
- Hospital Website: http://www.dyyy.xjtu.edu.cn
- English Website: http://www.en.jdyfy.com
Xi'an is a major city in northwest China with international airport connections. Most international patients fly into Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY).
How ChinaMed Select Can Help
Organ transplantation is one of the most complex medical procedures — especially for international patients navigating a foreign healthcare system. ChinaMed Select provides comprehensive support:
- Expert Matching: Whether you need a kidney transplant, multi-organ transplant, or evaluation for transplant eligibility, we connect you with the right specialist
- Medical Record Preparation: Transplant evaluation requires extensive documentation: medical history, lab results, imaging, antibody panels, and more. We help you organize and translate everything so the team can review your case efficiently
- Regulatory Navigation: We help you understand and navigate China's organ transplant regulations and requirements for international patients
- Appointment Coordination: We handle scheduling for evaluations, consultations, and procedures
- Certified Medical Translation: Transplant care involves complex discussions about immunology, surgical options, rejection risks, and long-term immunosuppression. Our translators ensure you understand every detail
- End-to-End Journey Support: From airport pickup in Xi'an to accommodation near the hospital, interpreter presence during consultations, and coordination of post-transplant care and follow-up, we handle logistics so you can focus on your recovery
Plan Your Visit
- Appointments: Hospital official channels or through ChinaMed Select
- Address: 277 West Yanta Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
- Department Phone: +86-29-85323955
- Hospital Switchboard: +86-29-85323112
- Hospital Website: http://www.dyyy.xjtu.edu.cn
- English Website: http://www.en.jdyfy.com
Need an organ transplant? Contact ChinaMed Select for a free, personalized consultation. We'll review your condition, connect you with the right transplant team at Xi'an Jiaotong University First Affiliated Hospital, and coordinate your entire journey — from medical record preparation to post-transplant care.