Why is a lung transplant done?
Lung transplantation is considered the last resort for treating lung failure. Other treatments and lifestyle changes will probably be tried first.
Health conditions that can damage the lungs to the extent to the requirement of a transplant include:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Emphysema
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Sarcoidosis
What are the types of a lung transplants?
The type of lung transplant procedures include the following:
- Single lung transplant - the transplant of one lung
- Double lung transplant - the transplant of both the lungs
- Bilateral sequential - the transplant of both lungs, performed one at a time
- Heart-lung transplant - the transplant of both the lungs and the heart taken from a single donor
How is a lung transplant done?
Before the procedure
The emotional stress of waiting for a donor lung can be severe.
Once a patient has passed the required tests and met the eligibility criteria, they will be placed on a waiting list for the donor lung. The waiting time on the list depends on the following:
- The availability of the matching lung
- Blood type
- The geographic distance between the donor organ and the patient who is going to be the recipient of the lung transplant
- The severity of the condition
- The size of the donor’s lung
- The overall health
What are the risks of lung transplants?
Like many surgeries, lung transplant is also one of the major surgeries that come with many risks. Prior to surgery, a doctor will discuss with the patient whether the risks that are associated with the procedure outweigh the benefits. Patients must also talk about what they can do to decrease the risks.
Organ rejection is the greatest risk of a lung transplant. This happens when the immune system attacks the donor lung as if it is a disease. Severe rejection can result in the failure of the donated lung.
Other serious problems can arise from medications used to prevent rejection. These are known as"immunosuppressants". They work by reducing the immune response, making it less likely that the body will attack a new “foreign” lung.
Immunosuppressants increase the risk of infection because they weaken the body’s "guard" or the immune system.
It is important to follow the doctor's instructions before and after surgery since it can help reduce the potential risks. The instructions will include choosing a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a healthy diet and not smoking. Patients must also avoid missing any prescribed dosage of medicines.
Conclusion
Lung transplants can greatly improve your quality of life. The first year after implantation - when surgical complications, rejection, and infection pose serious threats - is a very critical time for the patient and requires extra care and vigilance.
Although some people live for 10 years or more after a lung transplant, about half the people who survive this procedure live for up to five years or less.
Dr Shashikiran N J
MBBS, MS, MCh
Lead Consultant Minimally Invasive Thoracic surgery
Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad
