Online Discussion Group
Our Vision
"Our Vision is for a bright and active future for all those
involved with or in need of a heart or lung transplant.
We actively encourage organ donation and support the Alfred
Hospital Melbourne, the Transplant Team, patients,
recipients, their families and carers, throughout the
journey."
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Heart Lung Transplant
Online Discussion
Group
The online support
group is a wonderful way to stay in touch with others on the
waiting lists, and also to contact and ask questions of
post transplant recipients
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(right_hand_side)The Website of the Heart and Lung Transplant Trust (Vic) IncThe Website of the Heart and Lung Transplant Trust (Vic) IncThe
Lung Transplant Surgery
The lungs, which reside in the thorax, or chest cavity, act as a site for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange for the blood
The decision to perform a single or double lung transplantation depends mainly on the type of lung disease the patient has. If the disease involves infection (e.g. cystic fibrosis), then both lungs must be transplanted. This is because the anti-rejection medications (immunosuppressants), which are necessary for all transplant patients, suppress the immune system and, therefore, increase risk of infection. However, if the lungs are damaged but not infected (e.g., emphysema), one lung can be left in place. Patients with pulmonary hypertension do better if they have a double lung transplant. Age can also be a factor.
In the case of a single lung transplant, the lung that is most damaged is the one that is transplanted. This is determined by a test called ventilation-perfusion scan, which shows the blood flow to different areas of the lungs. Areas that indicate less blood flow are the ones with the greater damage.
While the patient is under general anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in the chest. If it is a single lung transplant, the incision is made on the right or left side, depending on which lung is being replaced. A double (bilateral) transplant requires an incision across the chest beneath the breast area.
The donor organ, which has been chilled to preserve it until transplantation, must be transplanted within six hours after being removed from the donor. As soon as the new lung(s) arrives in the operating room, the recipient's lung is immediately removed and the donor organ is placed in the chest cavity. When it is a double transplant, the organ with the poorest function is removed first and replaced.
Once the new organ is in place, the surgeon connects the pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein and the main airway (bronchus) of the donor organ to the patient's vessels and airway. Drainage tubes are inserted to drain air, fluid, and blood out of the chest for several days to allow the lungs to fully re-expand.
The surgery can take from four to eight hours, depending on whether it is a single or double lung transplantation and if complications occur.
