Objective To compare outcomes after single versus bilateral lung transplantation in patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with retrospective cohort study, and to provide a reference for surgical selection. Methods One hundred and two patients with end-stage COPD who received lung transplantation in Wuxi People's Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 2010 to May 2019 were evaluated, including 97 males and 5 females, aged from 42 to 82 years, with an average age of (59.8±8.0) years. Recipients were divided into single lung transplantation (SLT) group (31 cases) and bilateral lung transplantation (BLT) group (71 cases). Preoperative characteristics, postoperative outcomes, postoperative complications, functional improvement and survival between the two groups were analyzed retrospectively. Results The SLT group were significantly older than the BLT group [(62.6±8.8) years vs. (58.6±7.4) years, P<0.05], which was consistent with the practice mode of single lung transplantation in the elderly patients in this center. The FEV1% predicted and the six‐minute walk distance (6-MWD) in the BLT group were better than those in the SLT group (P<0.05). The cumulative survival rate in 1, 3 and 5 years after operation in the BLT group was higher than that in the SLT group (70.4%, 63.2%, 61.5%, respectively vs. 67.7%, 58.1%, 54.6%, respectively), but there was no statistical difference (P=0.388). The two groups were comparable in other preoperative clinical data (P>0.05). The cold ischemia time and total operation time were shorter in the SLT group than in the BLT group, and the intraoperative blood loss was less than that in the BLT group, but more patients required intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support than the BLT group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in postoperative ventilator support, reoperation, length of intensive care unit stay, postoperative hospital stay, and perioperative mortality (P>0.05). In terms of postoperative complications, the incidence of primary graft dysfunction grades 3 was higher in the SLT group than in the BLT group (35% vs. 8%, P=0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in chest complications, airway complications, acute rejection, infection, and bronchial occlusion syndrome (P>0.05). Nine patients (29%) developed acute native lung hyperinflation in the SLT group. ConclusionsBilateral lung transplantation is superior to single lung transplantation in the treatment of end-stage COPD. The advantage is mainly reflected in the simple perioperative management, better functional improvement after operation. Single lung transplantation as a beneficial supplement to double lung transplantation should still be considered in selected patients.
Objective To establish a simple, valid rat orthotopic left lung transplantation model with the improved operation technique. Methods One hundred and thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into donor （n = 68） and recipient （n = 68）, transplantation were performed by using the improved cuff anastomosis technique. Results Time of donor lung perfusion-picking, donor lung vessel cuff anastomosis and recipient vessel anastomosis was 13±2 min, 9±1 min, 10±1 min respectively, the operative time was 60±3 min. In 68 rats of operations, successful rate was 88%（60/68）, anastomotic stoma leak in one rat, lung congestion 3 rats, lung atelectasis 4 rats. The shortest survival time was 1 day, there were 53 rats whose survival time was longer than 12 days. The chest computed tomography showed no atelectasis and blood gas analysis manifested good respiratory function. Conclusion The improved three cuff anastomosis technique offers a simple, valid, cheap and useful method,it can establish rat orthotopic left lung transplantation model successfully.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic at the end of December 2019, more than 85% of the population in China has been infected. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mainly affects the respiratory system, especially the lungs. The mortality rate of patients with severe infection is high. A percentage of 6% to 10% of patients will eventually develop into COVID-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS), which requires mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Some patients who survive acute lung injury will subsequently develop post COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF). Both fully treated CARDS and severe PCPF are suitable candidates for lung transplantation. Due to the special course, evaluation strategies are different from those used in patients with common end-stage lung disease. After lung transplantation in COVID-19 patients, special treatment is required, including standardized nucleic acid testing for the novel coronavirus, adjustment strategy of immunosuppressive drugs, and rational use of antiviral drugs, which is a big challenge for the postoperative management of lung transplantation. This consensus was evidence-based written and was reached by experts after multiple rounds of discussions, providing reference for assessment and postoperative management of patients with interstitial pneumonia after COVID-19 infection.
Objective To investigate the suppression effect and mechanism of Astilbin on lung allograft rejection in rats, in order to know the function of Astilbin on rats’ lung acute rejection. Methods The model of rat left lung transplantation was set up. Sixty lung transplanted rats were divided into two groups randomly, control group: rats were fed with normal saline 1ml per day, experimental group: rats were fed with Astilbin 1mg/kg per day. Survival time, transforming rate of T cells in spleen, activity of interleukin 2 (IL-2) in spleen lymph cells and apoptosis of T cells were observed. Changes in ultrastructure of pulmonary arteries were observed by electron microscope. Results The survival time in experimental group was prolonged than that in control group (25.4±2.1 d vs. 13.4±1.2 d;t=2.042, Plt;0.05）. Transforming rate of T cells of spleen in experimental group was significant lower than that in control group (23 465.8±8 783.4 cpm vs. 74 567.3±12 874.6 cpm; t=2.284，Plt;0.05）.Activity of IL-2 of spleen lymph cells in experimental group was significant lower than that in control group (425±2.65U/ml vs. 23.46±1.82U/ml; t=3.165, Plt;0.01).Effectively derive apoptosis of activated T cells in acute rejection were observed in experimental group, the ultrastructure of pulmonary arteries showed attenuated injury in experimental group. Conclusion Astilbin decreased the IL-2 concentration in plasma and induced the apoptosis in activated T cells, then suppressed the acute rejection of lung allograft and prolonged the survival period of lung transplantation rats.
Lung transplantation has been the only valid method in treating end-stage lung diseases, airway complications are the main cause to the failure of surgery and common postoperative complications. With the development on patient selection, organ preservation, surgical technique, immunosuppressive therapy and postoperative surveillance, the successful ratio of surgery has become most satisfactory. However, airway complications are still common after lung transplantation. Among these, the airway anastomosis stenosis is more predominant than others. The living quality and long-dated survival rate are highly improved by paying enough attention to the formation,corresponding management for tracheal stenosis. The progress of the cause, prevention and treatment of airway anastomosis stenosis after lung transplantation is reviewed in this article.
Objective To explore the clinical effect of ventricular septal defect repair and lung allograft (simply as "heart repair and lung transplant") in the treatment of ventricular septal defect complicated with severe pulmonary hypertension. Methods A 21-year-old female patient with ventricular septal defect and severe pulmonary hypertension was treated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) under general anesthesia, and then right lung transplantation was performed, and then left lung transplantation was performed after changing body position. Results The operation was conducted successively. The intraoperative CPB support time was 90 minutes, and the blood loss was 2000 mL. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was removed on the second day after operation, the ventilator was evacuated on the third day, and the patient recovered and discharged on the 38th day. Postoperative echocardiography showed significant improvement in pulmonary artery pressure. Conclusion For patients with simple congenital heart disease complicated with severe pulmonary hypertension, "heart repair and lung transplant" can improve their quality of life.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of balloon bronchoplasty and metallic stents in lung transplant-related central airway stenosis.MethodsData of lung transplant recipients with central airway stenosis who underwent therapeutic bronchoscopic interventions between January 2011 and June 2019 at our institution were reviewed. The clinical follow-up included dyspnea index, forced expiratory Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), six-minute walk distance (6MWD), and the rate of bronchoscopic dilation.ResultsThirty-four lung transplant recipients with airway stenosis were included in our study. All these patients were treated by balloon bronchoplasty through flexural bronchoscopy, and 7 additionally needed temporary metal stent implantation for 28 to 67 days in order to palliate recurrent central airway stenosis. The percentages of immediate efficacy were 86% (180/209) and 100% (7/7), respectively. After serial balloon dilatation, the recipients with central airway stenosis had significantly lower dyspnea index (3.24±0.55 vs. 1.91±0.62, P<0.01), higher FEV1 ［(1.43±0.21)L vs. (1.72±0.27)L, P<0.01］ and longer 6MWD ［(317.3±61.7)m vs. (372.9±52.6)m, P<0.01］. Six recipients with central airway stenosis received 33 interventions in 6 months before stent implantation and 10 interventions in 6 months after stent extraction.ConclusionsLung transplant recipients with central airway stenosis have a good respond to balloon bronchoplasty and stent placement. Airway stenosis after lung transplantation can be successfully managed with bronchoscopic dilatation and temporary stent placement.
Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of single and bilateral lung transplantation in the treatment of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Chinese and English databases were searched by computer, including PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP database and CBM. Case-control studies on single lung transplantation or bilateral lung transplantation for COPD were collected from the inception to July 31, 2022. We evaluated the quality of the literature via Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). All results were analyzed using Review Manager V5.3 and STATA 17.0. Results A total of 8 studies were included covering 14076 patients, including 8326 patients in the single lung transplantation group and 5750 patients in the bilateral lung transplantation group. NOS scores were≥6 points. The results of meta-analysis showed that there was no statistical difference in the postoperative 1-year survival between the two groups (P=0.070). The 2-year survival rate (P=0.002), 3-year survival rate (P<0.001), 5-year survival rate (P<0.001), overall survival rate (P＜0.001), postoperative forced expiratory volume in one second/predicted value (P<0.001), postoperative forced vital capacity (P<0.001), and postoperative 6-minute walking distance (P=0.002) were lower or shorter than those in the bilateral lung transplantation group, the postoperative intubation time (P=0.030) was longer than that in the bilateral lung transplantation group. Bilateral lung transplantation group showed better surgical results. There was no statistical difference in the mortality, obliterative bronchiolitis, length of hospitalization, primary graft dysfunction, or postoperative adverse events (P>0.05). Conclusion Bilateral lung transplantation is associated with better long-term survival and postoperative lung function compared with single lung transplantation. In-hospital mortality and postoperative complications are similar between them.