Lung Transplant in Mumbai​

A lung transplant in Mumbai​ is not just a medical procedure; it is a gift for those who are suffering from end-stage liver disorder and have lost their hopes of living their lives to the fullest once again. Here, we will explore everything about this life-saving procedure, from pre-transplant surgery to the risks and complications associated with lung transplants. 

Lung transplantation is one of the most complicated and advanced medical procedures. It provides support to individuals with life-threatening lung diseases, giving them a chance and hope for survival when other treatments fail to work properly. The lung operation includes replacing the deceased lung with a healthy donor lung. 
 

Being a complex surgical procedure, lung transplantation requires the finest care and years of expertise from a recognised healthcare institution in Mumbai like Gleneagles Hospital, where modern techniques and expertise of lung specialists come together to give peerless results.

Lung transplantation is a surgical process where one or both of the patient's diseased lungs are replaced with donor lungs from a deceased organ donor. Lung Transplant Surgery in India is indicated for patients with end-stage lung disease that is not curable with medications or other surgeries. Lung transplant in Mumbai​ enhances the quality of life and survival of the patient by providing a healthy pair of lungs, enabling them to breathe more easily and live independently.

Lung transplant surgery can be divided into several categories based on the way the surgery is performed and the number of lungs being transplanted. Primarily, lung transplant procedures are divided into: 

• Single Lung Transplant: This operation includes replacing one of the patient's lungs with a donor lung. It is most often for patients with an illness that affects only one lung, like emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis.
• Double Lung Transplant: Double Lung Transplant involves replacing both of the patient's lungs with the donor's lungs. This is also a recommended surgery for patients who have both their lungs severely ill, such as in cystic fibrosis.
• Heart-Lung Transplant: In some rare cases, patients with heart and lung failure will need a heart-lung transplant. This lung procedure includes replacing both the lungs and heart with healthy donor organs.

Lung transplantation is commonly recommended for patients who have reached the end stage of a lung problem, and no other treatment like oxygen therapy, medications or other consumables do work. These are the most common issues associated with lung operation: 

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): It is the collection of lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that hinder airflow and complicate breathing.
• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): IPF is an illness that results in progressive scarring of lung tissue, causing shortness of breath and decreased lung function.
• Cystic Fibrosis: It is a kind of disease which is caused by a genetic defect that severely harms the lungs and digestive tract.
• Pulmonary Hypertension: Pulmonary hypertension is the increased blood pressure in the lung arteries that can cause heart failure and the necessity for a transplant.
• Bronchiectasis: This condition causes the airways to be enlarged and scarred as a result of repeated infections or inflammation.

Preparing for a complex surgical procedure like a lung transplant is a must for a successful outcome. Before the lung operation, patients are evaluated based on their medical history to determine whether or not the surgery is suitable for them. The preparation for lung transplant includes: 

• Medical Evaluation: There is a need for a thorough review of the patient's medical history, current lung function, and the extent of the disease. This enables doctors to ascertain if a lung transplant procedure is the ideal solution.
• Imaging Tests: Imaging tests like CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and chest X-rays are conducted to determine the health of the patient's lungs. The tests enable physicians to establish the degree of lung injury and decide on the best possible action.
• Blood Tests: Blood tests are necessary to screen for overall health and to see if the patient is a suitable candidate for lung transplant surgery. The tests can also screen for infection, kidney function, and blood clotting.
• Organ Compatibility: After the patient is considered fit for transplantation, they are added to the organ transplant list, where a compatible donor lung is searched. Organ compatibility is important to minimise the risk of rejection after the transplant surgery for the lung.

The typical lung transplant surgery lasts for an average of several hours due to its complexity. The transplant involves the following key steps: 

• Incision: An incision is performed in the chest to open up the lungs. Depending on the nature of the transplant, the incision can be performed across the sternum or along the side of the chest.
• Lung Removal: The patient’s diseased lungs are carefully removed. The surgeon must ensure that surrounding structures, such as blood vessels and airways, are preserved to avoid complications.
• Donor Lung Implantation: The lungs of the donor are then implanted in the chest cavity of the patient. The airways and blood vessels are attached to facilitate proper airflow and blood circulation through the new lungs.
• Closing: Once the transplant is finished, the chest is closed, and the patient is transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for close post-operative observation.

Recovery after a lung transplant is a lengthy and intensive procedure, and during this recovery period, patients are closely monitored in the intensive care unit to avoid any risks and complications such as organ rejection, internal bleeding, or infection. Patients are provided with immunosuppressive medications to suppress the immune response for the rest of their lives, which reduces the chances of rejection of transplanted lungs.

After the patient becomes stable, pulmonary rehabilitation is done for comprehensive aftercare. The rehabilitation includes physical therapy and breathing exercises to help the patient regain lung strength and improvement of oxygen intake. Appoint regular follow-ups with your doctor to monitor the functioning of transplanted lungs and analyse any signs of rejection. 

Although lung transplantation offers a wide range of benefits, it is also associated with certain risks and complications, which include: 

• Rejection: The immune system can recognise the transplanted lung as foreign and try to reject it. This is a major risk in the early recovery period and can be controlled with immunosuppressive therapy.
• Infections: As a result of the administration of immunosuppressive drugs, there is a greater susceptibility to infections. Some of the prevalent infections are respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections.
• Chronic Rejection: In the long term, chronic rejection can be seen and may result in a situation referred to as Chronic. Allograft Dysfunction (CLAD). This condition progressively decreases the function of the transplanted lungs.
• Surgical Complications: With every surgery, the risk of bleeding, blood clotting, and organ injury is present. There is also the possibility of surgical site infection.
• Lung Complications: Complications of the lung, such as ventilator dependency, haemorrhage, or lung collapse, can also occur during the recovery process.

The lung transplant success rate differs on the basis of several factors, including the overall health of patients, the condition underlying the lung transplant, and the quality of a healthcare facility. The one-year rate of survival is around 85% – 90%, which is quite high. However, the long-term survival rate may be lower due to increased challenges related to managing organ rejection and infections.

Solid organ transplants like Lung transplants are complex surgical procedures which require a high level of expertise and the finest care, which are the specialities of Gleneagles Hospitals. Here are the reasons why the hospital can make a huge difference: 

• We are the home of Mumbai’s top hepatologists and surgeons, who ensure a smooth lung transplant.
• Gleneagles Hospital ensures accurate Lung Transplant ICD-10 coding for lung transplant procedures, facilitating smooth documentation for insurance and billing.
• The lungs transplant hospital in Mumbai​ is equipped with enhanced and advanced tools and techniques for transplantation. 
  Individualised treatment plan to fit the needs of every patient.