Pediatric Lung Transplantation in Israel: 29 Cases from a Single Center's Experience

Eyal Jacobi ¹, Moshe Heching ², Osnat Shtraichman ²

⁰Pulmonary Institute, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel, Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

The Israel Medical Association Journal : Imaj +

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December 29, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Pediatric lung transplants in Israel show survival rates consistent with international data, with cystic fibrosis being the most common reason for the procedure. Chronic lung allograft dysfunction was the leading cause of mortality.

Area Of Science

Pediatric pulmonology
Thoracic surgery
Transplant medicine

Background

Lung transplantation is a critical intervention for end-stage lung disease.
Pediatric lung transplantation is less common than in adults.
Common indications include cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and interstitial lung disease.

Purpose Of The Study

To evaluate the experience and outcomes of pediatric lung transplantation at Israel's largest transplant center.

Main Methods

Retrospective review of pediatric lung and heart-lung transplantations performed since 1997.
Data collected included demographics, indications, clinical parameters, complications, and survival rates.
Analysis focused on patient characteristics and post-transplant outcomes.

Main Results

29 pediatric lung/heart-lung transplants were performed (3.0% of total lung transplants).
Primary indications were cystic fibrosis (44%), pulmonary hypertension (17%), and children's interstitial lung disease (10%).
1, 5, 10, and 15-year survival rates were 90%, 65%, 55%, and 20%, respectively; chronic lung allograft dysfunction was the main cause of death.

Conclusions

Outcomes from this pediatric lung transplant program align with international registry data.
A centralized program with a multidisciplinary team likely contributes to favorable results.
Survival rates were not associated with transplant indication or procedure type.