Lung transplantation for end-stage pulmonary diseases: report of 18 cases / 中华器官移植杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the feasibility of the lung transplantation as an effective treatment for end-stage pulmonary diseases domestically and to compare the major issues involving the practice of lung transplantation domestically and overseas.Methods After the foundation of group of lung transplantation in May 2002, lung transplantation models of porcine were set up. From September 2002 to April 2005, in the 18 cases undergoing lung transplantation, there were subjected to single-lung transplantion (SLT, 83.3%) and 3 bilateral sequential single lung transplants without CPB (DSSLT, 16.7%). Indications for SLT (n=15) included emphysema (n=9), pulmonary fibrosis (n=3), pneumosilicosis (n=1), lymphangioleiomyomatosis (n=1) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) induced Eisenmenger's syndrome (n=1); for DSSLT (n=3) bronchiectasis (n=1) and pulmonary emphysema (n=2). Among the 15 SLTs, there were 9 cases of left SLT and 6 right SLT. Among them, 2 cases shared one same donor's lung block, one case received contralateral lung transplantation―a left donor lung implanted in the recipient’s right thorax, and one case simultaneous right SLT and VSD repair. Results In hospital mortality (HM) was 3/18 ( 16.7%). Among SLTs, early death was due to severe rejection on the 30th postoperative day in one patient and acute rejection on the 15th postoperative day in other patients, and another patient died due to pulmonary vein embolism on the 36th day. There were 3 and 2 patients with the survival time longer than 1 and 2 years respectively. The median overall survival was 10 (2 to 32) months. Conclusions Our LT program shows similar results to those reported by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation for developed countries. The key of successful operation depends on the establishment of group of lung transplantation and cooperation of multi-department. Ischemic-reperfusion injury, acute-rejection and infection are the major reasons of deaths shortly after the operations.