Technique of clinical double-lung transplantation

Clinical double-lung transplantation has now been successfully performed at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Donor care and operation are similar to heart-lung donor management. The most important parts of the recipient operation are to remove the lungs without injury to the phrenic, vagal, or recurrent nerves and to ensure hemostasis. In addition, the integrity of the tracheal anastomosis should be ensured by an omental wrap. The operative technique, developed and modified from our laboratory experience, is described.