Lung Transplant

About Lung Transplant

A lung transplant replaces one or both diseased lungs with healthy donor lungs and is considered for patients with end-stage lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, or severe pulmonary hypertension, where medical treatment can no longer maintain adequate breathing function. Depending on the condition, either a single lung or both lungs may be transplanted; the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, often with circulatory support such as a heart-lung bypass machine, while the surgical team removes the diseased lung tissue and connects the donor lung's airway and blood vessels to the recipient's. The operation typically takes several hours per lung, and recipients spend time on a ventilator and in intensive care afterward while lung function stabilizes. A structured pulmonary rehabilitation program follows over subsequent months to rebuild breathing capacity and endurance, alongside lifelong immunosuppressive medication and regular monitoring for rejection or infection. India's transplant centers assess candidates carefully for suitability, including disease severity and overall fitness for major surgery. Because donor lung availability affects waiting times, international patients should plan for an extended, somewhat variable stay covering evaluation, the waiting period, surgery, and early rehabilitation before travel home.