Is It Possible to Transplant a Lung?

Generally, lung transplantation is feasible and mainly indicated for patients with severely impaired lung function and terminal lung diseases. Lung transplantation surgery is primarily used to treat patients in the terminal stage of chronic lung diseases. If a patient's lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis or pulmonary hypertension have reached the terminal stage, irreversible changes may occur in the lung parenchyma and bronchi, leading to severe impairment of lung function. In such cases, the diseased lung can be removed and replaced with a healthy lung from a different individual of the same species. After lung transplantation surgery, lung function can often be restored to normal, thus achieving the goal of alleviating the condition.

However, not all patients with lung diseases are suitable for lung transplantation surgery. For example, patients with terminal lung cancer or AIDS are typically not candidates for lung transplantation surgery, as the desired therapeutic effect may not be achieved. Therefore, it is recommended to undergo a medical assessment before proceeding with lung transplantation surgery. After the lung transplantation surgery, it is essential to pay attention to daily care, including resting in bed and avoiding rigorous exercise. Simultaneously, the patient's respiration and blood pressure should be monitored. In case of any abnormalities, it is crucial to actively cooperate with the doctor for treatment to avoid compromising the normal recovery process.