Lung Transplant
Lung transplantation is a surgical procedure performed to replace one or both diseased lungs with healthy lungs from a donor. Here are key points about lung transplantation:
- Lung transplantation is considered as a treatment option for individuals with end-stage lung disease, such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or pulmonary hypertension, when other medical interventions have failed.
- Candidates for lung transplantation undergo a thorough evaluation process to assess their overall health, lung function, and suitability for surgery, including psychological and social assessments.
- The transplantation process involves waiting for a suitable donor match through organ procurement organizations, which can vary in duration depending on factors such as blood type, size, and severity of illness.
- After transplantation, recipients require lifelong immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection of the donor lungs and regular medical follow-up to monitor for complications and adjust treatment as needed.
- While lung transplantation can offer significant improvements in quality of life and survival for carefully selected patients, it also carries risks such as organ rejection, infection, and complications related to immunosuppressive therapy, underscoring the importance of careful patient selection and comprehensive post-transplant care.