[Single lung transplantation for emphysema: analysis of 6 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To review the experience with the management of single lung transplantation for emphysema.


METHODS
Between January 2003 and August 2006, single lung transplantation was performed in 6 patients for emphysema with cold low potassium solution flushing. A triple-drug regimen was adopted using steroids, mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus as the maintenance immunosuppressants. Chest radiograph score, oxygenation index, and pulmonary arterial pressure of the patients in early after the transplantation were reviewed.


RESULTS
All the 6 patients survived for over 30 days after the operation, and 4 of them remained alive with good quality-of-life. Four patients recovered from acute rejection successfully after methylprednisolone pulse therapy for 3 days. One patient underwent reoperation for hemorrhage in the thoracic cavity and finally recovered; spontaneous pneumothorax of the autologous lungs occurred in two patients, who underwent reoperation but finally died 74 days and 77 days after the transplantation, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Single lung transplantation is effective for end-stage emphysema. Carefully selected recipients and comprehensive design of the surgical procedures are critical to successful lung transplantation.
Xu
Xin
X
Institute of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510120, China. yichunrenjia@263.net
He
Jian-xing
JX
Chen
Han-zhang
HZ
Ge
Lin-hu
LH
Xiao
Dong
D
Yin
Wei-qiang
WQ
Wei
Bing
B
Liu
Jun
J
Cheng
Xiang-yang
XY
Qiu
Yuan
Y
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome