Treatment Details
Lung Transplant
Overview
The lung is a vital organ of the human body that performs exchanges of gases to provide oxygen to the body. A normal lung is spongy and soft in nature. They can stretch as they are made up of an elastic tissue. Multiple diseases can destroy the lungs or impair their capacity to function, restricting the body from getting oxygen and making it impossible to carry out their function.
Lung transplant becomes an option in those cases when a disease condition prevents the lungs from functioning normally and cannot be effectively treated with medication, or if medication is no longer effective. Many people consider having a lung transplant in India due to its affordability, quality treatment, and advanced medical infrastructure of the Indian hospitals.
Who Needs a Lung Transplant?
Lung transplant is performed only in people with end-stage lung disease, and those who cannot be further treated with alternative treatments. People who are having lung transplant in India are usually suffering from the following conditions:
Sarcoidosis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Cystic fibrosis
Emphysema
Pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary hypertension
Generally, there is no age limit for lung transplant in India. However, people above the age of 70 are not typically subjected to it.
Types of Lung Transplant
There are different types of lung transplant procedures. Each of them has pros and cons and the choice will be determined by the patient’s condition and other factors.
Single lung transplant – Only one lung is replaced.
Double lung transplant – Both lungs are replaced.
Bilateral sequential transplant – Also known as bilateral single. Both lungs are replaced at one time.
Heart-lung transplant – The lung and the heart are transplanted at the same time.
Eligibility Criteria For a Lung Transplant
Each patient’s eligibility for a lung transplant is assessed on an individual basis, although there are some basic eligibility criteria for having a lung transplant in India including:
Severe or end-stage lung disease that cannot be further treated without transplantation.
A recipient’s good overall health condition to be able to handle the surgery.
No other chronic or underlying diseases which cannot be cured.
To be aware of the obligations both before and after the procedure.
Lung transplant becomes an option in those cases when a disease condition prevents the lungs from functioning normally and cannot be effectively treated with medication, or if medication is no longer effective. Many people consider having a lung transplant in India due to its affordability, quality treatment, and advanced medical infrastructure of the Indian hospitals.
Who Needs a Lung Transplant?
Lung transplant is performed only in people with end-stage lung disease, and those who cannot be further treated with alternative treatments. People who are having lung transplant in India are usually suffering from the following conditions:
Sarcoidosis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Cystic fibrosis
Emphysema
Pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary hypertension
Generally, there is no age limit for lung transplant in India. However, people above the age of 70 are not typically subjected to it.
Types of Lung Transplant
There are different types of lung transplant procedures. Each of them has pros and cons and the choice will be determined by the patient’s condition and other factors.
Single lung transplant – Only one lung is replaced.
Double lung transplant – Both lungs are replaced.
Bilateral sequential transplant – Also known as bilateral single. Both lungs are replaced at one time.
Heart-lung transplant – The lung and the heart are transplanted at the same time.
Eligibility Criteria For a Lung Transplant
Each patient’s eligibility for a lung transplant is assessed on an individual basis, although there are some basic eligibility criteria for having a lung transplant in India including:
Severe or end-stage lung disease that cannot be further treated without transplantation.
A recipient’s good overall health condition to be able to handle the surgery.
No other chronic or underlying diseases which cannot be cured.
To be aware of the obligations both before and after the procedure.
Symptoms of Lung Transplant
Diagnosis of Lung Transplant
Causes of Lung Transplant
Eligibility Criteria For a Lung Transplant
Each patient’s eligibility for a lung transplant is assessed on an individual basis, although there are some basic eligibility criteria for having a lung transplant in India including:
Severe or end-stage lung disease that cannot be further treated without transplantation.
A recipient’s good overall health condition to be able to handle the surgery.
No other chronic or underlying diseases which cannot be cured.
To be aware of the obligations both before and after the procedure.
Each patient’s eligibility for a lung transplant is assessed on an individual basis, although there are some basic eligibility criteria for having a lung transplant in India including:
Severe or end-stage lung disease that cannot be further treated without transplantation.
A recipient’s good overall health condition to be able to handle the surgery.
No other chronic or underlying diseases which cannot be cured.
To be aware of the obligations both before and after the procedure.
Treatment Options / Stages of Lung Transplant
Lung Transplant Procedure
The surgery is always performed under general anesthesia to make the surgery painless and to maintain body stability. After that:
An intubation tube will be inserted into the patient’s body to help with breathing during the surgery. It is also used to deliver medication and it also aids in maintaining other body functions.
The chest is cut open and the blood vessels and airways are cut.
The damaged lung is removed from its place.
A healthy lung is attached carefully in place of the diseased lung.
The blood vessels are reconnected and the incision is sewn closed.
The area is covered with a sterile bandage.
The duration of lung transplant in India will vary based on the procedure and the complications. Generally, a single lung transplant lasts for 4 to 8 hours while a double lung transplant could take up to 6 to 12 hours.
The surgery is always performed under general anesthesia to make the surgery painless and to maintain body stability. After that:
An intubation tube will be inserted into the patient’s body to help with breathing during the surgery. It is also used to deliver medication and it also aids in maintaining other body functions.
The chest is cut open and the blood vessels and airways are cut.
The damaged lung is removed from its place.
A healthy lung is attached carefully in place of the diseased lung.
The blood vessels are reconnected and the incision is sewn closed.
The area is covered with a sterile bandage.
The duration of lung transplant in India will vary based on the procedure and the complications. Generally, a single lung transplant lasts for 4 to 8 hours while a double lung transplant could take up to 6 to 12 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How Long Can a Person Live After Having a Lung Transplant?
A: The outcome of the surgery highly varies among individuals. On average, after a lung transplant, 83 out of 100 patients survive after one year, and 55 out of 100 patients are still alive on average after 5 years. Some patients even survive for more than 20 years.
Q: Is It Possible To Survive On One Lung?
A: Most people can survive on one lung if necessary. Unless the other lung is injured, one lung can normally expel enough carbon dioxide and provide enough oxygen. The body needs oxygen to function. The lung has to get rid of waste products like carbon dioxide by exchanging it with oxygen.
Q: What Is The Main Problem Associated With Lung Transplants?
A: Infection. Those who have had lung transplants are more susceptible to infection than the general population for a variety of reasons. Following a transplant, bacterial or viral pneumonia are common infections.
Q: What Is The Age Limit For Lung Donation?
A: A lung transplant is surgery done to remove a diseased lung and replace it with a healthy lung from another person. The surgery may be done for one lung or for both. People of practically any age can undergo lung transplants, including newborns, adults, and occasionally even older adults up to the age of 65.
Q: Is It Possible To Donate A Lung While Being Alive?
A: Technically, an entire lung cannot be donated. However, in some transplant centers, you can donate the lobe of your lung. The left lung has two lobes and the right lung has three lobes which can be donated.
A: The outcome of the surgery highly varies among individuals. On average, after a lung transplant, 83 out of 100 patients survive after one year, and 55 out of 100 patients are still alive on average after 5 years. Some patients even survive for more than 20 years.
Q: Is It Possible To Survive On One Lung?
A: Most people can survive on one lung if necessary. Unless the other lung is injured, one lung can normally expel enough carbon dioxide and provide enough oxygen. The body needs oxygen to function. The lung has to get rid of waste products like carbon dioxide by exchanging it with oxygen.
Q: What Is The Main Problem Associated With Lung Transplants?
A: Infection. Those who have had lung transplants are more susceptible to infection than the general population for a variety of reasons. Following a transplant, bacterial or viral pneumonia are common infections.
Q: What Is The Age Limit For Lung Donation?
A: A lung transplant is surgery done to remove a diseased lung and replace it with a healthy lung from another person. The surgery may be done for one lung or for both. People of practically any age can undergo lung transplants, including newborns, adults, and occasionally even older adults up to the age of 65.
Q: Is It Possible To Donate A Lung While Being Alive?
A: Technically, an entire lung cannot be donated. However, in some transplant centers, you can donate the lobe of your lung. The left lung has two lobes and the right lung has three lobes which can be donated.
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