Does side matter? Effect of single lung transplant laterality on outcomes

Previous works have suggested that recipients of left single lung transplant (SLT) have a worse outcome than those receiving right SLT. We evaluated the effect of SLT laterality on outcomes.

We performed a retrospective study of SLT recipients followed up at our center. One hundred and nineteen patients were reviewed (53 left SLT, 66 right SLT). We extracted data on lung function, exercise capacity, relative graft perfusion, airway complications, acute rejection episodes, infections and mortality.

There was no significant difference between right and left lung recipients with regard to baseline demographic and physiological characteristics. Lung function, exercise capacity and relative graft perfusion improved in both groups following transplantation. We observed a higher graft perfusion in right-sided grafts compared to left ( P = 0.048). There was no significant difference between the two groups in physiological outcomes, rejection or infection episodes, the presence of chronic rejection or mortality. We observed a statistically higher need for bronchial stent insertion during early follow-up amongst the left lung recipients ( P = 0.022).

Both right and left lungs are equally suitable for transplantation. The left-sided bronchial anastomosis may be more vulnerable to complications.