Prior to Procedure

A long approval process will be done before the surgery. It will make sure you are ready and able to have a transplant. Tests will be reviewed to make sure the heart and lungs are strong enough for surgery.

After an approval comes a waiting list. There is a shortage of donors. Donors are matched carefully for size, tissue type, and other factors. A healthy family member can donate part of a lung. There may be a long wait.

You will need to be easily reached at all times. There may not be much notice before surgery. It is important to have a plan in place. A hospital stay will be needed during recovery.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be used. It will keep you asleep during the surgery. It will also block pain.

Description of the Procedure

An incision will be made on the chest. For a single lung transplant, it will be on your side below your underarm. For a double lung transplant, it will be across the lower chest.

A heart-lung machine will be placed. It will take over the work of your lungs and heart during surgery. It will keep oxygen flowing to your body during surgery. The doctor will remove a small area of ribs. This will allow access to your lung. The old lung will be cut away from the blood vessels and airways. The new lung will then be placed. The doctor will attach the blood vessels and airways to the new lung. The heart-lung machine will be removed. The doctor will make sure the lung is working well before the chest wall is closed.

How Long Will It Take?

• 4 to 8 hours for a single lung transplant
• 6 to 12 hours for a double lung transplant

Immediately After Procedure

Recovery will start in the intensive care unit (ICU). Staff will make sure the lung is working well. The stay may last for 2 to 3 days.

• The care team will monitor your pulse, breathing, and other vital signs.
• A breathing tube and ventilator may be needed at first. It will be removed when you are able to breathe on your own.
• Medicine will be started to keep the body from rejecting the new lung

How Much Will It Hurt?

There will be pain in chest for the first few weeks. Medicine will help to ease pain.

Average Hospital Stay

The usual length of stay is 7 to 10 days. The stay may be longer if problems arise.

Post-procedure Care

It will take about 6 months to recover from a lung transplant. Help may be needed at home during recovery. Ongoing treatment and monitoring may include:

• Tracking your temperature, weight, and blood pressure.
• Pulmonary function tests at home or medical center
• Regular doctor visits for:
  • Blood tests
  • Lung biopsies at regular intervals to check for lung rejection
  • X-rays and EKGs