Lungs Transplant

Surgery

A lung transplant is a complex operation that typically takes several hours. During surgery, the surgeon will remove your diseased lung(s) and replace it with the donor lung(s). The surgeon will then sew the donor lung(s) into place and connect the major blood vessels.

Recovery

After surgery, you will spend several days in the hospital recovering. You will need to take medications to prevent your body from rejecting the donor lung(s). You will also need to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle to help your new lung(s) stay healthy.

Outlook

The outlook for people who receive lung transplants is good. Most people who receive a lung transplant live for many years and enjoy a good quality of life. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the 5-year survival rate for lung transplant recipients is 78%.

Benefits

Here are some of the benefits of a lung transplant:

• Can significantly improve quality of life and life expectancy
• Can reduce symptoms of lung disease, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling
• Can allow patients to resume many of their daily activities, such as work, hobbies, and exercise
• Can improve mental health and emotional well-being

Risks

However, it is important to note that lung transplants are not without risks. These risks include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Organ rejection
• Death

Organ rejection is a serious complication that can occur after a lung transplant. It is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the donor lung(s). Organ rejection can be treated with medication, but in some cases, it may lead to failure of the donor lung(s) and require another transplant.

The risk of organ rejection is highest in the first few years after a lung transplant, but it can occur at any time. To reduce the risk of organ rejection, patients need to take medications that suppress their immune system for the rest of their lives.

Despite the risks, lung transplant is a life-saving surgery for many people with end-stage lung disease. If you are considering a lung transplant, it is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Here are some additional details about lung transplants:

• The donor lungs are typically harvested from a deceased donor who has died suddenly and unexpectedly. The donor must be a good match for the recipient in terms of blood type, size, and age.
• The lung transplant surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. The surgeon will make a large incision in the chest and open the rib cage. The surgeon will then remove the diseased lung(s) and sew the donor lung(s) into place.
• After surgery, the patient will be placed in the intensive care unit (ICU) for several days. During this time, the patient will be monitored closely for any complications.
• Once the patient is stable, they will be transferred to a regular hospital room. The patient will typically stay in the hospital for about 2 weeks after surgery.
• After leaving the hospital, the patient will need to continue to take medications to prevent organ rejection. The patient will also need to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle to help their new lung(s) stay healthy.