Early postoperative management of lung transplantation

Lung transplantation is a widely accepted therapeutic option for patients with end-stage lung disease. However, despite the significant medical progress achieved since the first human lung transplant was performed in 1963, perioperative and long-term patient outcomes are still jeopardised by a variety of complications. Infection and rejection are among the most feared complications in the early post-transplantation period because they are difficult to treat and can have a long-lasting impact on the quality of life and overall life expectancy. Multidisciplinary management of lung transplant recipients focusing on the prevention or early detection of complications, particularly during the early postoperative phase, may improve the short and long-term outcomes of those patients benefiting from this life-saving intervention. However, in the absence of internationally recognised guidelines, the optimal strategies for managing lung transplant recipients remain unclear. This article presents a practical approach to the management of the early post-transplantation period aiming at standardising clinical care and improving patient outcome.