[Lung functions after single-lung homotransplantation in dogs (author's transl)]

Unilateral homotransplantation of the lung was performed in ten healthy mongrel dogs. Assessment of pulmonary function was obtained immediately after transplantation ten days and four weeks postoperatively. A conventional endotracheal tube was used for measurement of total lung function. A special tube was deviced for bronchospirometric measurements in dogs. A moderate increase of tidal volume and marked increase of respiratory rate and minute ventilation could be noted immediately after transplantation. Oxygen consumption was not changed significantly. There was a marked decrease in arterial pO2-level following transplantation, which was improved during the follow-up studies and found within normal limits at the tenth postoperative day. Bronchospirometry immediately following transplantation revealed equal ventilation values of both lungs, but oxygen consumption of the transplant was reduced 50% compared to the recipient's own lung. On the tenth postoperative day ventilatory function of the transplant was found close to that of the recipients own lung. Oxygen consumption in respiratory equivalent at this time averaged two thirds of the animal's own lung. Four weeks following transplantation no further significant change of respiratory function could be noted.