Lung transplantation is the removal of a healthy lung and transplanting it into a person whose lung is not functioning. Lung transplantation is performed for people who cannot regain their health with other treatment methods.
In lung transplantation, depending on the patient’s disease, one lung may be used or both lungs may need to be changed. In some cases, the heart can be taken from the donor along with the lungs and transferred to the patient.
Lung transplantation is a very difficult and large operation, but it may be the only option for some patients. Patients may have to try the transplant procedure despite all the risks and complications of the surgery. With the transplantation, the general health status and quality of life of the patient may increase. Curiosities about lung transplantation are explained in the rest of the article.
Why is Lung Transplantation Performed?
Damages in the lungs cause problems in getting oxygen, which is one of the basic needs of the body for life. Different diseases can affect the lung and impair lung function. The most common diseases that cause problems in the lungs and therefore breathing can be listed as follows:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Scarring of the lung (Pulmonary fibrosis)
Increased blood pressure in the lungs (Pulmonary hypertension)
Cystic fibrosis
Respiratory distress caused by lung damage can be treated with medication and oxygen support. However, in some cases, these treatment methods are not sufficient for the patient to breathe adequately and lung transplantation is required. For people with serious heart disease in addition to lung disease, heart transplantation may be considered in addition to lung transplantation.
Whether or not a patient will receive a lung transplant depends on many factors. Transplantation may not be an appropriate option for every patient. For example;
having an infection
having cancer
Having a serious condition such as kidney, heart, liver diseases
Patients who do not want to implement lifestyle changes such as not smoking and not consuming alcohol, which are necessary for a healthy life after transplantation; may not be considered suitable for lung transplantation.
How is Lung Transplantation Performed?
The patient who is found suitable for lung transplantation is placed on the waiting list. The waiting period continues until a donor matching the patient is found. In this process, the patient’s lung problems are tried to be improved with drug therapy and oxygen therapies. The patient’s learning to breathe effectively with the right techniques by participating in rehabilitation programs also contributes to a healthier progression of the waiting period.
Finding a matching donor with a transplant patient can take a long time. Unfortunately, sometimes patients may die during the waiting period. Increasing awareness of organ donation in the society makes patients and their relatives waiting during transplantation more hopeful about the future.
Patients waiting during transport should be alert. As soon as a lung that fits the patient is found, transplantation procedures should begin as soon as possible. For this reason, it is beneficial for the patient to be available at any time and to go to the hospital where the transplant will take place in a short time.
Lung transplant surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Therefore, the patient is not conscious during the operation and does not feel any pain or pain. During the operation, the patient is intubated, that is, the patient’s breathing continues connected to the machine through a tube that is transmitted from the mouth to the trachea.
In surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the chest. Then, the damaged lung is removed through this incision. The bronchi and blood vessels connected to the removed lung are connected to the lung taken from the donor. In this way, the transplanted lung replaces the removed lung.
In some lung transplant surgeries, the patient can be connected to a heart-lung bypass device. This device ensures the circulation of blood throughout the body throughout the operation.
What Happens After Lung Transplantation?
After the surgery, the patient needs to stay in the intensive care unit for several days. In this process, the patient’s breathing continues through a mechanical ventilator. A tube attached to the patient’s chest also allows fluids from the lungs and heart to be expelled. Various drugs can be administered intravenously to the patient in order to provide pain control and prevent organ rejection after transplantation. As the patient’s condition improves, the need for a mechanical ventilator disappears and the patient becomes able to breathe on his own. When this stage is reached, the patient is transferred from the intensive care unit to the normal service. After a lung transplant, patients usually need to stay in the hospital for 1-3 weeks. Of course, this period may differ from patient to patient.
The patient should be followed closely for transplant-related complications and lung functions for approximately 3 months after the transplant. During this process, it would be beneficial for the patient to reside near the transplant center. In the later time period, the controls become more and more infrequent. Therefore, the transportation problem of the patient does not cause a big problem.
In the post-transplant controls, the patient; Laboratory tests, chest films, electrocardiogram (ECG), lung function tests, lung biopsy can be done. With these tests, it is checked whether the patient has problems such as infection due to surgery.
As with other tissue and organ transplants, there is a risk of organ rejection in lung transplants. Patients are closely followed up for organ rejection after transplantation. Organ rejection occurs as a result of the patient’s immune system attacking the newly transplanted organ by perceiving it as foreign. When this happens, the transplanted organ is damaged and the patient’s health deteriorates.
After transplantation, patients need to do some long-term applications. These apps are:
Using immunosuppressive drugs: It is essential for the patient to use immunosuppressive drugs for life in order to prevent organ rejection.
Adhering to the treatment plan: After the transplant, the doctor advises the patient on medication, therapy and daily recommendations. It is very important for the patient’s health to follow these recommendations and take their medications properly.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle: In order for the transplanted lung to remain healthy, the patient must remove substances such as cigarettes and alcohol from his life. It is also good for the health of the patient to start an exercise program suitable for him after the recovery process is completed.
What are the Risks of Lung Transplantation?
In lung transplantation, there are risks such as bleeding, blood clotting, infection, and closure of the airways due to surgery. These risks are common risks seen in surgeries performed under anesthesia.
The biggest risk in lung transplantation is organ rejection. Organ rejection may occur immediately after the lung is transplanted into the patient, or it may occur after a certain time. shortness of breath, dry cough, rash, extreme tiredness; organ rejection symptoms.
Immunosuppressive drugs used to prevent organ rejection also have many side effects. These side effects are as follows:
Getting fat
Percentage hair growth
stomach problems
Long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs in patients
Diabetes
kidney damage
Osteoclasis
Cancer
It can cause diseases such as high blood pressure.
Although immunosuppressive drugs prevent organ rejection, they weaken the immune system and make the patient vulnerable to infection. For this reason, it would be beneficial for transplant patients to avoid infection as much as possible by paying attention to hygiene rules.
Lung transplantation is an alternative option for patients who have serious respiratory problems and cannot regain their health with other treatment methods. Doctor and patient; should come to a conclusion by discussing whether lung transplantation is the right option for the patient, the waiting time for transplantation, the risks and complications of the surgery. You can apply to a well-equipped health center to get detailed information about lung transplantation.