Why is this procedure done?
A lung transplant surgery takes out a lung that is injured or has a serious disease. The doctor replaces it with a healthy lung from a human donor. You may need to have one or both lungs replaced. Sometimes, your new lungs come from a healthy living adult who donates part of a lung to you. ‚
A lung transplant is done only as a last option. You may need one if your condition cannot be managed by drugs or breathing devices. These conditions include: ‚
- Cystic fibrosis
- Problems with the blood vessels in your lungs. These may be caused by a heart defect or high blood pressure in the lungs.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Problems where the lung tissue becomes scarred
- Sarcoidosis
Some people are not able to have a lung transplant. Your doctor will not be able to put you on the list if you: ‚
- Are too sick to survive a risky surgery
- Are still smoking, drinking alcohol, or using illegal drugs
- Have active hepatitis or HIV
- Have had cancer in the last 24 months
View OriginalView Original
What will the results be?
This procedure can replace a damaged lung and make breathing easier. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history and perform an exam and other tests. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug or food allergies. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- Your doctor will talk with you about the options for a new lung. To be on the lung transplant waiting list, your doctor may need:
- Blood and tissue samples to make sure your body will accept the new lungs
- Skin, blood, urine, and sputum samples to check for infection
- Heart and kidneys tests to look for early signs of any problems. The doctors want to make sure they can handle the stress of surgery.
- The doctors will also make sure you are emotionally ready for such a big operation.
- You will meet with a financial counselor to help you understand the costs involved with a transplant. If you qualify, you will be put on the transplant waiting list. Your rank on this list depends on how sick you and your lungs are. The sicker you are, the higher on the list you are.
- You will need to be ready for surgery at any time, day or night. The average time on the waiting list is 2 to 3 years. Some patients die before a matched lung is available.
- Your doctor may ask you to take a special scrub bath before going to the hospital. This will lessen the amount of germs on your body.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery. The staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs.
- When you are asleep, the doctors put a tube in your mouth to help you breathe. They also put another small tube in your nose. This one goes down to your stomach to drain out any food or fluid that might come out during surgery. You will have a tube in your bladder to drain urine.
- Your doctor will make a cut in your chest. Your doctor may use a heart and lung machine to keep your blood flowing during the procedure.
- Your doctor will remove the diseased lung or lungs and your new lung will be sewn into place.
- The doctor will close your chest with stitches. You will be taken off of the heart-lung machine.
- A single lung transplant may take 4 to 8 hours. A double lung transplant may take 6 to 12 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Intensive Care Unit. The staff will monitor your breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure.
- A breathing machine will help you breathe for a few days. The staff will take out your breathing tube when you are awake and strong enough to breathe. You may have a sore throat afterwards. You will have chest tubes that will drain fluids from around your heart and lungs.
- Within a day or two, you will get out of bed to a chair. The staff will help you begin to walk around. Doing coughing and deep breathing exercises will help keep your lungs clear. You will get drugs through your I.V. to help with your pain.
- You will stay in the hospital for 1 to 3 weeks for recovery.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Keep your wound clean and dry.
- You will take drugs your body needs to accept the transplanted lung. Take all of your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Wear a mask as much as possible to protect yourself from infections.
- Avoid contact with people who have illness.
- Practice proper hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor will ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You will need blood work done regularly for the rest of your life. This is done to check your drug levels to prevent rejection of your transplanted lung.
- Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed. You may need regular lung x-rays and biopsies.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Rest is important. Your activity level will depend on your procedure or treatment. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. Ask your doctor when you can go back to your normal activities.
- Exercising can help lower fatigue. Your doctor may suggest physical therapy for strengthening.
- Do light activities. Start with walking and light exercises.
- Avoid being around smoke.
- Do not smoke. Avoid drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Rejection of the new lung
- Cancer
- Heart problems
Where can I learn more?
National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/lungtxp/ ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Lung-transplant/Pages/Recovery.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚