[Lung transplantations--methods, indications and results 1986-1998]

Area of Science:

• Thoracic surgery
• Transplant immunology
• Pulmonary medicine

Context:

• The National Hospital, Norway's national organ transplant center, introduced heart-lung transplantation in 1986.
• Lung transplantation is a critical but underdeveloped area of organ transplantation.
• A significant shortage of donor lungs impacts program development.

Purpose:

• To describe the methods, patient selection criteria, and outcomes of lung transplantation procedures at the National Hospital.
• To evaluate the survival rates and complication rates associated with heart-lung, single lung, and bilateral lung transplantation.
• To highlight the challenges and future directions for lung transplantation programs.

Summary:

• 98 lung transplantations (15 heart-lung, 66 single lung, 17 bilateral sequential) performed since 1990.
• 30-day mortality is 15%; 1- and 5-year survival rates range from 34% to 81% and 48% to 63%, respectively.
• Bronchial complications occurred in 7% of anastomoses; results align with international data.

Impact:

• Lung transplantation outcomes at the National Hospital are comparable to international standards.
• Organ donor shortage remains the primary obstacle to advancing lung transplantation.
• Further development requires addressing the critical issue of organ availability.