Treatment

The Transplant Procedure

If a patient receives a single lung transplant, an incision will be made on the right or left side of the chest, depending on which lung is being replaced. If the patient is having both lungs replaced, the incision will be across the chest just at the base of the breasts.

After the Transplant

Hospitalization

A new life with a transplanted organ begins in the hospital, right after the transplant operation. The average hospital stay for a lung transplant patient is 7 to 14 days.

During the hospital stay, transplant recipients are carefully monitored and tested. Patients also receive extensive training on self-care at home and the drugs needed to protect the transplanted organ from rejection (called immunosuppressants).

Receiving a lung transplant is a life-altering operation with potentially great benefits. But receiving a transplant also means a lifetime of medication, frequent follow-up visits and ongoing monitoring by doctors and nurses at UVA.

After Leaving the Hospital

After leaving the hospital, patients will need to check their own vital signs daily (temperature, weight, blood pressure and pulse) and take prescribed medications. Transplant recipients also complete regularly scheduled routine lab tests (at a laboratory convenient to home).

Follow Up

Routine follow-up appointments are scheduled after a transplant. Although the patient and transplant team jointly remain focused on the good health of the patient, the patient now holds the key to success. Faithful adherence to medications and lab tests along with annual reviews at our clinic give the greatest level of assurance that the transplanted lung will continue to function.