Clinics in chest medicine
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Obliterative bronchiolitis following lung transplantation is common and potentially devastating. Its exact cause is undefined, but multiple immune and nonimmune processes contribute to its pathogenesis. ⋯ As our understanding of the disease evolves, it is hoped that effective interventions targeted at specific pathogenetic steps will emerge. In the meantime, obliterative bronchiolitis remains the most important and sinister long-term complication of lung transplantation.
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Pediatric lung transplantation is becoming more common, and with increasing experience there is increasing success. The most common indications for considering lung transplantation are cystic fibrosis, pulmonary vascular disease (usually due to congenital heart disease), and fibrotic lung disease. ⋯ The patients with cystic fibrosis face additional obstacles to the success of transplantation: airway colonization with Gram-negative organisms, pancreatic insufficiency, glucose intolerance, and osteoporosis. The survival for children is comparable to adults, reaching about 65% at 1 year, and 69% at 2 years.
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Despite the multitude of potential complications that may be encountered during the early post-transplant period, the majority of transplant recipients experience a smooth transition from postoperative intensive care, to step-down unit, to the regular medical floor, and, ultimately, to their home within 10 to 14 days without any significant unexpected events. The likelihood of serious complications can be greatly reduced through careful recipient selection, impeccable donor management, and the cooperative efforts of surgeons, pulmonologists, nurse specialists, and the numerous experienced consultants required for a successful transplant program. Although many unique facets contribute to the complexity of lung transplant patient care, attention to the details of high-quality general postsurgical care will yield excellent results.