Expert Spine Surgery in Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok has emerged as one of the world’s leading destinations for high-quality, affordable spine surgery — combining internationally trained spine surgeons, state-of-the-art technology, and world-class hospital infrastructure with costs 30–50% below equivalent care in Western countries.
Dr. Chaidej Sasomboon (นพ.ชัยเดช สระสมบูรณ์) is an orthopedic spine surgeon at Bangkok International Hospital (โรงพยาบาลกรุงเทพอินเตอร์เนชั่นแนล) — a JCI-accredited tertiary hospital — specialising in minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), endoscopic spine surgery, and robotic-assisted spinal procedures. He is fellowship-trained at two of the most prestigious spine centres in North America: UCSF San Francisco and Columbia University’s Och Spine Hospital in New York.
Dr. Chaidej sees patients from Thailand and internationally, offering telemedicine consultations so overseas patients can receive a surgical recommendation and travel plan before committing to travel to Bangkok.
About Dr. Chaidej Sasomboon
Dr. Chaidej Sasomboon completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University — one of Thailand’s most prestigious academic medical centres. He subsequently pursued advanced spine surgery training in the United States:
- Clinical Observership in Neurological Surgery — UCSF San Francisco (2019): Exposure to one of the world’s highest-volume neurosurgical centres, known for complex spinal cord tumours, cervical myelopathy, and cutting-edge minimally invasive technique
- Advanced Spine Surgery Fellowship — NewYork-Presbyterian Och Spine Hospital, Columbia University (2020): Columbia’s dedicated spine surgery centre sees the full spectrum of complex spine cases — deformity, revision surgery, robotics, and minimally invasive fusion
On return to Thailand, Dr. Chaidej joined Bangkok International Hospital’s Bone x Brain Center, where he practices his “Tailor-Made Surgery” philosophy — designing each patient’s surgical plan individually based on their specific anatomy, diagnosis, and personal goals. He does not take a one-size-fits-all approach; the guiding principle is always the least invasive effective surgery for each individual.
Memberships:
- North American Spine Society (NASS)
- Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand
- Thai Medical Council
Conditions Treated
Dr. Chaidej Sasomboon treats the full spectrum of spinal disorders at Bangkok International Hospital:
- Lumbar Disc Herniation (Slipped Disc) — the most common cause of sciatica and leg pain; treated with endoscopic discectomy or microdiscectomy
- Sciatica — sciatic nerve pain radiating down the leg from lumbar nerve root compression; specialist diagnosis and treatment
- Cervical Disc Herniation — neck pain with arm pain/numbness; treated with ACDF, disc arthroplasty, or posterior foraminotomy
- Spinal Stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal causing neurogenic claudication; treated with endoscopic or microscopic laminectomy
- Spondylolisthesis — forward slip of one vertebra over another; treated with minimally invasive MIS-TLIF spinal fusion
- Degenerative Disc Disease — disc degeneration causing back pain and instability
- Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures — compression fractures treated with vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty
- Foraminal Stenosis — nerve root canal narrowing causing radiculopathy
- Adjacent Segment Disease — degeneration above or below a previous fusion
- Recurrent Disc Herniation — re-herniation after prior discectomy
- Adult Spinal Deformity — scoliosis and kyphosis correction
Surgical Techniques
Dr. Chaidej offers the full spectrum of modern spine surgery techniques, selecting the least invasive effective option for each patient:
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) — umbrella term for all techniques that achieve spinal decompression and fusion through sub-5 cm incisions
- Full-Endoscopic Discectomy — through sub-centimetre incision under local/spinal anaesthesia; same-day or next-day discharge
- Microscopic Discectomy (Microdiscectomy) — gold-standard surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation; >90% success rate
- Minimally Invasive TLIF (MIS-TLIF) — percutaneous pedicle screw fusion for spondylolisthesis and instability; 2-3 night hospital stay
- Robotic-Assisted Spine Surgery — sub-millimetre screw placement accuracy using O-arm 3D navigation and robotic guidance
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) — gold-standard for cervical disc herniation and myelopathy
- Cervical Disc Arthroplasty — motion-preserving alternative to fusion for selected cervical cases
- Vertebroplasty / Kyphoplasty — needle-based stabilisation of osteoporotic fractures; immediate pain relief
Technology at Bangkok International Hospital
Bangkok International Hospital’s Bone x Brain Center is equipped with technology equivalent to the world’s best spine centres:
- O-arm 3D Intraoperative CT Scanner: Real-time cone-beam CT during surgery for navigation and implant confirmation — eliminates post-operative CT confirmation
- Robotic Navigation System: Mechanical arm guidance for sub-millimetre pedicle screw placement accuracy
- 4K HD Endoscope System (Karl Storz / Joimax): Full-endoscopic procedures through sub-centimetre incisions
- Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM): Continuous SSEPs, MEPs, and EMG throughout surgery to prevent nerve injury
- Surgical Microscope: Latest generation with navigation integration
International Patient Services
Bangkok International Hospital is one of Thailand’s most internationally oriented hospitals, with dedicated services for overseas patients:
- Telemedicine consultation: Video consultation with Dr. Chaidej before travelling — receive a surgical recommendation and cost estimate remotely
- MRI review service: Email your MRI DICOM files to BH******@*************AL.COM for remote review
- International Patient Centre: Multilingual staff, visa assistance, accommodation coordination
- Translation services: Medical report translation available in major languages
- Concierge services: Airport transfer, hotel coordination, family accommodation
- Insurance coordination: Works with major international health insurance plans
Why Choose Bangkok for Spine Surgery?
- Cost: 30–50% less than equivalent surgery in the USA, UK, Australia, or Singapore — without compromising on implant quality or technology
- Quality: JCI accreditation (the international gold standard for hospital quality); same implants as Western hospitals
- Wait time: Surgery scheduled within days to weeks — no 6–18 month NHS wait lists
- Expertise: Dr. Chaidej’s North American fellowship training means you receive surgical technique and decision-making equivalent to a US fellowship-trained spine surgeon
- Recovery: Bangkok’s infrastructure, English-speaking staff, and tourist-friendly environment make recovery comfortable and accessible
Patient Journey: From First Contact to Recovery
- Remote consultation: Email MRI images and clinical history to BH******@*************AL.COM → receive a surgical recommendation and cost estimate within 2–3 days via telemedicine
- Travel planning: International patient team assists with visa (if required), accommodation, and airport transfer arrangement
- Pre-operative assessment: Blood tests, anaesthetic review, and consent consultation on arrival in Bangkok (Day 1–2)
- Surgery: Day 3–5 (depending on scheduling) — most procedures take 1–3 hours
- Hospital stay: 1–3 nights for MISS procedures; 3–5 nights for open fusion
- Post-operative recovery in Bangkok: Physiotherapy begins within 24 hours; wound check before departure
- Return home: Most patients fly home 7–14 days after MISS procedures; 14–21 days after fusion
- Remote follow-up: Telemedicine follow-up at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months — X-rays/CT scans arranged locally and emailed to Dr. Chaidej’s team
Frequently Asked Questions: Spine Surgery Bangkok
Who is the best spine surgeon in Bangkok?
Dr. Chaidej Sasomboon at Bangkok International Hospital is among the most internationally credentialed spine surgeons in Thailand, with fellowship training from both UCSF San Francisco and Columbia University’s Och Spine Hospital — two of the most prestigious spine training centres in the world. He specialises in minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery, offers robotic-assisted procedures, and has extensive experience treating both Thai and international patients with complex spinal conditions.
Is spine surgery in Bangkok safe?
Spine surgery at JCI-accredited hospitals in Bangkok, such as Bangkok International Hospital, meets the same safety standards as leading hospitals in the USA, UK, and Europe. The hospital uses international-grade implants (the same brands used in Western countries), maintains rigorous infection control protocols, and has comprehensive intensive care and emergency backup for any surgical complication. Dr. Chaidej’s complication rates are consistent with published international benchmarks.
How much does spine surgery cost in Bangkok?
Procedure costs in Bangkok are typically 30–50% of equivalent costs in Western countries. As a guide: endoscopic discectomy ranges from approximately USD 4,000–7,000 all-inclusive; MIS-TLIF (single level) from approximately USD 8,000–15,000; ACDF from approximately USD 6,000–10,000. These are estimates — contact BH******@*************AL.COM with your specific MRI for a personalised cost proposal.
Can I combine spine surgery with recovery in Thailand?
Absolutely — many international patients plan their recovery around Bangkok or nearby Thai resort destinations. After the initial hospital stay and physiotherapy phase (7–21 days), patients who are mobile can spend recovery time in Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, or Phuket before flying home. Dr. Chaidej’s team can advise on safe activity restrictions for each specific procedure.
Does Bangkok International Hospital accept international insurance?
Bangkok International Hospital works with major international health insurance providers. Coverage depends on your specific policy and the procedures required. The international patient team can assist with pre-authorisation and direct billing where available.
Contact Dr. Chaidej Sasomboon
Book a consultation at Bangkok International Hospital — Bone x Brain Center:
- WhatsApp / Viber: +66 83-472-5291
- Tel: 02-755-1549 / 083-472-5291
- Line ID: @SPINEBIH
- Email: BH******@*************AL.COM
- Address: 5 Soi Soonvijai 5, New Petchburi Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand
Send your MRI images (DICOM format) and clinical history to BH******@*************AL.COM for a telemedicine consultation with Dr. Chaidej Sasomboon. International patients are seen from the UK, USA, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, the Middle East, and across Southeast Asia.