[Single lung transplantation as treatment of terminal lung diseases]

The article describes the first cases of single lung transplantation in Norway. The indication for surgery was end-stage pulmonary disease (1 sarcoidosis, 2 emphysema) in three severely disabled patients requiring administration of oxygen. The operation necessitated cardiopulmonary bypass in all patients. Primary graft function was excellent. Epidural analgesia, peripheral pulse oxymetry and continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation aided early extubation. The initial postoperative course with a four drug immunosuppressive regimen has been encouraging. Rejection is monitored by clinical examination, chest x-ray, serial pulmonary function tests and transbronchial biopsies.