Lung transplantation in Japan

Area of Science:

• Thoracic surgery
• Transplantation medicine
• Pulmonary medicine

Background:

• Thoracic organ transplantation was legalized in Japan, enabling the first living-donor lobar lung transplant (LDLLT) in 1998.
• Lung transplantation in Japan faces donor limitations, with fewer than 5 cadaveric donors annually.
• Primary pulmonary hypertension is a primary indication for lung transplantation in Japan.

Observation:

• From 1998 to 2003, 41 lung transplants were performed in Japan, with 28 from living donors and 13 from cadaveric donors.
• The study period covered October 1998 to May 2003.
• Okayama University performed the first successful living-donor lobar lung transplant in Japan.

Findings:

• Japanese lung transplant recipients achieved a 4-year survival rate of 72%, exceeding the global average.
• Living-donor lobar lung transplant (LDLLT) is a viable alternative due to limited cadaveric donor availability.
• Specialized indications for lung transplantation in Japan, particularly primary pulmonary hypertension, guide recipient selection.

Implications:

• LDLLT presents a crucial option for Japanese patients awaiting lung transplants, given donor scarcity.
• Improved survival rates suggest the effectiveness of lung transplant protocols in Japan.
• The findings support the continued development and application of LDLLT in Japan for selected candidates.