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Alternative names Return to top
Lung graft; Lung transplantationDefinition Return to top
Lung transplant is surgery to replace one or both diseased lungs with healthy lungs from a human donor.Description Return to top
A lung transplant is usually the last resort treatment for lung failure. The new lung or lungs are donated by someone who has been declared brain-dead but remains on life-support. The donor tissue must be matched as closely as possible to that of the recipient to reduce the odds that the transplanted tissue will be rejected.
While the recipient is unconscious and pain-free (general anesthesia), an incision is made in the chest. Tubes are used to re-route blood to a heart-lung bypass machine to provide oxygen and circulation during the surgery.
One or both of the patient's lungs are removed, and the donor lung or lungs are stitched (sutured) into place. Chest tubes are inserted to drain air, fluid, and blood out of the chest for several days to allow the lungs to fully re-expand.
Sometimes heart and lung transplantation are performed at the same time (heart-lung transplant), if the patient's heart is also diseased.
Indications Return to top
Lung transplants may be recommended for patients with any severe lung disease. Some examples of disease that may require lung transplant are:Risks Return to top
Risks for any anesthesia are:Expectations after surgery Return to top
Lung transplant is an extreme measure for patients with life-threatening lung disease or damage. Current survival rates are as high as 80% at 1 year following transplantation and 60% at 4 years.Convalescence Return to top
An extended hospital stay should be expected. The recovery period is about 6 months. Frequent check-ups with blood tests and X-ray tests will be necessary for years. Update Date: 5/6/2004 Updated by: Allen J. Blaivas, D.O., Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University Hospital, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |