 |
Having a single lung transplant means having an operation to remove one of your diseased lungs and replacing it with a new lung. Having a double lung transplant means having an operation to remove both of your diseased lungs. These lungs are are replaced with the healthy lungs from another human being. This new lung(s) will work to help you breathe by providing your body with oxygen and removing carbon dioxide just as your own lungs did when they were healthy. This new lung or lungs will come from a person who is an organ donor. This person has suffered and injury to the blood supply to the brain which results in "brain death". This person's lungs are normal and not affected by this injury.
Most patients receive a single lung transplant. Patients can lead a normal life with a single lung and this approach allows the maximum number of patients to benefit from donor lungs. We feel that this is and important consideration given the fact that there are many more people in need of lung transplantation than there are lungs available. The existing lung disease in the remaining original lung does not spread to the transplanted lung. An exception to this is if the lung has a chronic infection. In these instances, which are most common in patients with cystic fibrosis, double lung transplantation is performed so that no site of infection remains in the chest.
The staff at the New England Organ Bank works to match donors with the people who are awaiting transplants. This matching is based primarily on the size of the donor and the blood type. The lungs from the donor are removed by a surgeon from the Transplant Team who brings the lungs to Brigham and Women's Hospital. While this is happening you will be notified to come to the emergency room at Brigham and Women's Hospital. You will then be transferred to the operating room where an anesthesiologist will prepare you for surgery.
If you are having a single lung transplant, the incision will be made on your side, either right or left, about six inches below your underarm. A small section of the rib will be removed permanently to allow access to the surgical site. Your old lung will be removed throught this opening and the new lung will be implanted.
In the case of a double lung transplant the incision will run across the lower part of your chest. One lung will be removed, and the new one implanted; then the second lung will be removed and the new one implanted.
The lung, whether single or double, is connected to the pulmonary artery, pulmonary veins, and the mainstem bronchus(airway). The incision or incisions are closed and a dressing is applied. The incisions will be uncomfortable and will take several weeks to heal.
Once your surgery has been completed and the lung transplant is a technical success, the issue of successfully living with a transplant becomes quite involved. The two major issues to consider are rejection of the new lung and infection.
Comments about this website may be directed to: eparten@partners.org
NOTICE: This email is not for medically related issues. Comments or concerns regarding patient-related care should be directed to the Thoracic Surgery Clinic at 617-732-6824.
©2009, Division of Thoracic Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital. All rights reserved.
Division of Thoracic Surgery
Brigham and Women's Hospital
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115