Lung transplantation

Lung transplantation is a surgical procedure in which a patient's diseased lungs are partially or completely replaced by lungs which come from a donor. Donor lungs can be retrieved from a living or a deceased individual. A lung transplant is usually the last resort after other treatments and management strategies have failed.

Indications

Lung transplantation is typically reserved for people who have advanced lung disease. People who receive lung transplants often have the following conditions:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – This condition damages the lungs, making it hard to breathe.
• Cystic fibrosis – This inherited condition damages the lungs and can also affect the digestive system.
• Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis – This condition causes scar tissue to grow inside the lungs, making it hard to breathe.
• Pulmonary hypertension – This type of high blood pressure affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.

Procedure

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The surgical approach depends on whether the patient is receiving a single lung or a double lung transplant, or whether the lung transplant is combined with a heart transplant. The original lungs are left in place and the donated lung is inserted into the chest cavity, then attached to the existing blood vessels and airway.

Risks

Lung transplantation carries a significant risk of complications such as infection, organ rejection, bleeding and stenosis of the bronchi. Immunosuppressive drugs are given to reduce the risk of rejection, but these can also increase the risk of infection.

Prognosis

The prognosis following lung transplantation varies depending on a variety of factors, including the patient's health status at the time of the transplant, the exact type of transplant, and the patient's response to the transplant.

See also

• Organ transplantation
• Heart transplantation

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