Best lung transplant surgery in India with highest success rate

Lung transplant in India has a 22-year history, starting in 1999. The journey includes the development of regulatory bodies at both national and state levels, the growth of transplantation centers across states, and the influence of governmental, non-governmental, and medical professional organizations. 

Since 1999, India has evolved into a hub for lung transplantation, providing state-of-the-art facilities and skilled healthcare professionals. 

Additionally, the comparatively lower costs make the country an affordable option without compromising on quality.

Let’s learn how India is the best place to undergo a lung transplant and why. But before moving forward here’s a success story.

A few years ago, Vikas might have looked blank if asked what idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is, but today he and his family are well aware of this debilitating condition which has no cure. 

A few years ago, he started experiencing breathlessness. He thought it was age-related,  as he never smoked in his life.

Initially, his condition was manageable, but with time exercising became challenging for him. He had to gasp for air even after a simple task. His condition started deteriorating.

Finally, he and his wife visited a pulmonologist. He was then diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition where the lungs undergo scarring, leading to a progressive difficulty in breathing. 

The worst part is that this condition gets worse over time. 

His family was shaken up after learning about his condition. His son and daughter-in-law were expecting their first child after 6 months. sadly, the family’s happiness came to an abrupt end.

Vikas was immediately put on drug therapy but his body was not reacting to them positively, So he had to discontinue it. He realized he needed to enlist himself for a lung transplant immediately. His family supported this decision. 

Thankfully, he contacted a Mumbai hospital and fixed a lung transplant surgery. He went on with his life using oxygen support while waiting for a transplant call.

His wait ended after 6 months, and a set of lungs were available for him. He was transferred to the hospital for a transplant.  Vikas was prepared for a surgery. His surgery began after midnight at 1:00 am, while his family patiently waited overnight. 

The next morning at 9:00 am, the doctors informed his family about the successful compilation of the surgery. After surgery, Vikas spent several days in the ICU where the team of healthcare providers took great care. Then after 8 weeks, he was released from the hospital. 

Vikas is now living a healthy life with his family. Because of a lung transplant, he could finally see his newborn grandson. 

Lung transplant has given new life to many people like Vikas. 

To help you navigate the difficult terrain of a lung transplant, we have prepared this blog including all the knowledge you need to equip yourself for a successful lung transplant 

So, let’s go deep!

Lungs are an important part of the respiratory system. The basic function of your respiratory system is to move fresh air into your body and remove waste air.

Every organ in your body requires oxygen. Whenever we breathe air, it moves to the lungs. After reaching the lungs, oxygen is moved into the bloodstream. Through the bloodstream, it reaches all parts of the body.

Likewise, all waste gases like carbon dioxide move from the body to the bloodstream and reach the lungs. From the lungs, carbon dioxide is moved out during exhalation.

Let’s now learn about the different parts of the lungs:

• The lung is divided into Lobes. Lobes are balloon-like structures filled with sponge-like tissues. The right lung is divided into 3 lobes and the Left lung is divided into 2 lobes.
• The windpipe divides into 2 bronchial tubes, one for each lung. It then divides further for each lobe. 
• It then further divides into bronchioles. Bronchioles are the smallest branch of the bronchial tubes.
• Alveoli are located at the end of the bronchioles. Alveoli Are small air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the bloodstream.

A lung transplant is a procedure to remove a failing lung with the help of surgery and replace it with a healthy lung from the donor. Usually, the lung donors are deceased. A person becomes eligible for a lung transplant if his or her condition is not sufficiently improved after all kinds of treatments and medications.

Even though a lung transplant is a major surgery that involves complications and risks, it gives new life to the patient and improves their health and overall well-being.

This is why you must know everything about the process of a lung transplant. First of all, let’s understand the types of lung transplants.

What are the types of lung transplants?

Various types of lung transplants include single-lung transplants, double-lung transplants, and heart-lung transplants.

Now we will see why you should undergo a lung transplant.

After undergoing some tests and meeting the qualifying criteria, you will be enlisted on the waitlist for donor lungs. Waiting time depends on various factors like geographical distance between donor and recipient, blood group, availability of matching lungs, overall health, and severity of lung condition.

When lungs are available, you will be notified and instructed to reach the hospital immediately where you are registered for lung transplant.

Let’s take a look at how the procedure is done.

• First of all, you will receive an IV and general anesthesia. Because of that, you will be in induced sleep.
• Next, the surgical team will insert a tube in your windpipe to help you breathe, another tube will be positioned in your nose to empty your stomach and a catheter will be inserted to keep the bladder empty.
• The doctors may also use a heart-lung machine to pump blood and oxygenate the  it during the surgery.
• After all these preparations, the surgeon will make a large incision on your chest. Your old lung will be removed after the incision.
• After removal of your lung, the new lung will be connected to your blood vessels and main airway.
• Then, the incision will be closed after surgeons are satisfied that the new lung has started working properly.
• A single lung transplant can take 4 to 8 hours long surgery while a double lung transplant can take 12 hours long surgery.
• After this process, you will be shifted to ICU for a few days.
• In the ICU your body will be closely monitored for a few days and you may expect to go home after some weeks, depending on the speed of your recovery.
• Then for the next 3 months, the lung transplant team will closely monitor any signs of rejection or infection in the lungs.
• You may be given immunosuppressants to prevent your body from attacking new lungs.

Now we will see the cost of a lung transplant.