Get Second Opinion
Ask Doctor
Lung Transplant
Lung Transplant
Sometimes lungs get affected with diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD- related to smoking, bronchial asthma , air pollution etc.), interstitial fibrosis, Primary pulmonary hypertension. This results in the failure of lungs to allow transportation of gases-oxygen and carbondioxide through it. With this patient goes into respiratory failure –becomes breathless and often requires oxygen even at rest. Such people will not live long and their quality of life is poor. In such cases, one or two lungs can be replaced by good lungs from a brain dead donor. 10yr survival after lung transplantation is around 40%. They need to take immunosuppressant drugs lifelong.
Dr Gokhale and his team did 5 single lung transplants so far. They did the first successful lung transplant in Andhra Pradesh on 8th of September, 2012 on a 34 year old lady from Pune, Maharashtra. This lady with two small children, has been suffering for last two years from a condition called Interstitial Fibrosis- a condition in which lungs become stiff and cannot transfer oxygen into blood. She was bedridden depending on oxygen at rest. She was investigated and kept ready for transplant. On the night of 8th of September, 2012, a donor with blood group compatability became available and Ms Archana underwent right lung transplant successfully. She is recovering well, giving new hope to her and to her family (see blog for details).
Very few surgeons in India have the experience of performing successful lung transplantation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lung transplant?
Lung transplantation is a surgical procedure that is performed to replace a diseased or failing lung with a healthy lung from an organ donor. Single lung, double lung or bilateral sequential lung transplantation are three common types of lung transplantations performed by lung transplant surgeons in India.
Lung transplantation is usually performed from the lungs donated by a deceased organ donor. However, in rare cases when there is a good match, a living non-smoking and healthy individual may also donate part of one of their lungs.
Is lung transplant a major surgery?
Where is the incision made for a lung transplant?
The incision for the lung transplant depends on the type of lung transplantation performed on the patient. Usually, an incision for lung transplantation is made on the chest but for a single lung, a transplant incision is made on the side of the lung that is to be transplanted. Also for bilateral sequential transplant, an incision will be made verticality between the breasts or across the chest below the breasts.
What are the benefits of lung transplants?
Lung transplantation provides a breath of life to patients suffering from chronic lung conditions. It significantly improves the quality of life and will cut down the risk of lung diseases, improve energy level and increase life expectancy.
Do they break ribs for a lung transplant?
A lung transplant surgeon will have to remove the part of ribs to replace the failing lung with a healthy lung. However post-recovery, the patient will return to their healthy self.
What is the life expectancy after a lung transplant?
Life expectancy after a lung transplant depends on a variety of factors that include the patient’s health condition, age, and type of lung transplantation performed. According to the NHS average life expectancy in the majority of cases tends to be 10-20 years.