Lung transplantation:  state of the art.
Since the first long term successful single lung transplant in 1983, followed by a successful double lung transplant in 1986, lung transplantation has become established world-wide as an accepted option in the treatment of end-stage respiratory disease of various etiologies.  Both procedures carry acceptable morbidity and mortality rates with the actuarial 5 year survivor rate of 80%.  Single or double lung transplantation offers many advantages over heart-lung transplantation and is gradually supplanting the latter in most centers with certain exceptions.  Differentiating injection from rejection continues to be a major problem but with added experience and new diagnostic tools this obstacle will be overcome.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195.
T J
TJ
Kirby
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A
Mehta
D006084:Graft Rejection; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution