Objective: To evaluate operative technique, patient selection and perioperative management of single-lung transplantation for a patients with end-stage emphysema.
Methods: A 56-year-old patient with end-stage emphysema underwent left-lung transplantation on September 28, 2002. The surgical technique used was similar to that mentioned in the literature. The donor lung was perfused by LPD solution with a cold ischemic time of 260 minutes. Cardiopulmonary bypass was not performed.
Results: The patient weaned from a ventilator at the 93th hour after operation. Immunosuppressants included cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroid. Acute rejection occurred on the ninth day after operation and was cured by bolus methylprednisolone given intravenously. Lung function was improved significantly and the patient was discharged from the hospital on the 47th day after operation.
Conclusion: Single-lung transplantation for patients with end-stage emphysema is effective for long-term improvement of pulmonary function.