LUNG TRANSPLANT
Introduction to Lung Transplant
Lung transplant is surgery to transplant a diseased lung and replace it with a healthy lung. Lung transplants are used to improve the quality of life and extend the lifespan for people who have severe or advanced chronic lung conditions.
The surgery may be done for one lung or for both. Lung transplants can be done on people of almost all ages from newborns to adults up to age 65.
Need for Lung Transplant
Conditions that may damage the lungs enough to require a transplant include:
Types of Lung Transplant
Single lung transplant: This is the transplant of one lung.
Double lung transplant: This is the transplant of both lungs.
Bilateral sequential transplant: This is the transplant of both lungs, done one at a time. It’s also called bilateral single.
Heart-Lung transplant: This is the transplant of both, the lungs and the heart taken from a single donor.
Most lungs that are transplanted come from deceased organ donors. This type of transplant is called a cadaveric transplant. Healthy, non-smoking adults who are a good match may be able to donate part of one of their lungs. The part of the lung is called a lobe. This type of transplant is called a living transplant. People who donate a lung lobe can live healthy lives with the remaining lungs.
Pre-Lung Transplant Process
Before getting ready for a transplant, there is a rigorous evaluation process that patients need to go through. This includes:
Lung transplant recipients who smoke must quit. They must be nicotine-free for several months before being put on the transplant list.
Tests may be done to check the lungs and overall health. These tests may include X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, pulmonary function tests, lung biopsy, and dental exams. Women may also get a Pap test, gynaecology evaluation, and a mammogram.
Blood tests are needed to help find a good donor match. This helps improve the chances that the donor organ will not be rejected.
Cardiac catheterization is used for diagnostic tests such as angiography, arteriography, and electrophysiology studies (EPS).
This includes assessing stress, financial issues, and support by family and other loved ones. These issues can have a major effect on the outcome of a transplant.
Several immunizations will be given. These are to lessen the chance of infections that can affect the transplanted lung
Legal Requirements
The primary legislation, Transplantation of Human Organs ACT, was passed in 1994. As per this act, there are certain guidelines to be followed for receiving a transplant depending on the country of residence of the receiver or the state of life of donor. For more information, visit Legalities section of our website.
The Lung Transplant Process
The transplant team will explain the procedure in detail and resolve any other queries the patient might have. The patient should not eat or drink for 8 hours before the surgery. The following sequence of steps will happen once the operation begins.
Complications of Lung Transplant
As is common with any major surgery, Lung Transplant does have its fair share of complications. The complications of this procedure may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blockage of the blood vessels to the new lung(s)
- Blockage of the airways
- Severe pulmonary Edema (fluid in the lung)
- Blood clots
- Rejection of the new lung(s)
Post-Lung Transplant Procedure
After the surgery, the patient will recover in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) before moving to a hospital room for one to three weeks.
The doctor may recommend pulmonary rehabilitation after the lung transplant surgery to help the patient regain and improve their breathing. Pulmonary rehabilitation may include exercise training, education, and counselling. Pulmonary function tests will help doctors monitor the patient’s breathing and recovery
Life After Lung Transplant
Lung Transplants can greatly improve the quality of life of patients suffering from chronic lung conditions. It can bring them a step closer to a normal life. But there are still some precautions patients need to take in order to live a normal life.
Organ transplant success stories
Success Rate and Life Expectancy of Lungs Transplant
As medicine progresses, so does the life expectancy of patients undergoing lung transplant. There have been great strides taken in the last decade or two, which have increased the success rate and the life expectancy of patients.
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