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.
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.
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.
ObjectiveTo explore the method for establishing a pig left lung orthotopic transplantation model. MethodsDetailed surgical procedures, including animal anesthesia, tracheal intubation, donor lung retrieval, and recipient transplantation, were thoroughly reported. By examining the histological morphology and blood gas analysis of the transplanted lung 2 hours after reperfusion, the histological changes and function of the transplanted lung were assessed. ResultsThis method was applied to four male Yorkshire pigs with an average weight of (40.0 ±2.5) kg for left lung in situ transplantation, effectively simulating conditions relevant to human lung transplantation. Two hours after the transplantation, arterial blood gas analysis showed PaO2 was 155.4-178.6 mm Hg, PaCO2 was 53.1-62.4 mm Hg, and the oxygenation index was 310.8-357.2 mm Hg. Hematoxylin and eosin staining indicated a low degree of pulmonary edema and minimal cellular infiltration. ConclusionThe pig left lung orthotopic transplantation model possesses strong operability and stability. Researchers can replicate this model according to the described methods and further conduct basic research and explore clinical translational applications.
The rehabilitation experience of 20 patients with tracheostomy after lung transplantation was reported, and the key points of rehabilitation nursing included sequential oxygen therapy, airway clearance, diaphragm pacing, respiratory training, swallowing training, speech training, exercise training, and gastrointestinal function rehabilitation. Tracheostomy is conducive to airway management and offline extubation in patients assisted by long-term breathing, and promotes patient recovery and discharge through multidisciplinary collaborative rehabilitation nursing integrated case management.
Objective To investigate the experience of operative technique of donor organ harvesting and lung transplantation in some unusual circumstance, and to improve surgical success ratio of lung transplantation. Methods Lung transplants were preformed in 65 cases, including 47 singlelung transplants and 18 double single lung transplants. All the recipients were suffered from intensive respiratory failure,and nine patients were longterm ventilatordependented of the total. The recipients included emphysema (n=23), pulmonary fibrosis (n=24), pneumosilicosis(n=5), pulmonary tuberculosis(n=2), lymphangioleiomyomatosis(n=1) and ventricular septal defect(VSD) or VSD with Eisenmenger’s syndrome(n=4),bronchiectasis (n=4), diffuse panbronchiolitis (n=1) and primary pulmonary hypertension(n=1). Retrospectively summarize clinical experience of lung transplant operation especially experience of dealing with special circumstances encountered in operation. Results 64 donor organ harvesting were achieved successfully. Inhospital death was 11cases (16.9%) after operation. Early death was due to primary lung graft dysfunction (n=3), severe infection(n=6), acute rejection(n=1), pulmonary vein embolism(n=1). Complications took place after operation in 9 cases, to exploratory thoracotomy to stop bleeding after transplantation in 3 cases, pulmonary artery anastomosis again because of stenosis in 1 case, bronchus stoma stenosis in 3 cases, pulmonary infarction in 2 cases, of which one patient accepted pulmonary lobectomy. Follow-up period was from 1.0 year to 5.6 years of 54 cases. 1year survival rate was 72.3%（47/65）.The pulmonary function was improved and the quality of life is well in most patients of the group. Conclusion To improve the technique of donor organ harvesting and lung transplantation is important to decrease the early mortality after transplantation.
Objective To summarize the clinical experience of harvesting the lung of a brain death donor by international standardized methods, so as to establ ish a set of standards and regulations appl icable for harvesting the lung of brain-death donors in China. Methods The operation was performed on 1 brain-death donor who had endured 50 hours of mechanical ventilation. The donor was assessed by donor lung function test and international brain death standard. Then the organ was perfused and trimmed ready for lung transplantation. Results We succeeded in harvesting the heart, lung, liver, kidney and cornea from this brain-death voluntary donor. The harvested lung was successfully transplanted into a recipient. And the recipient recovered well after operation. Conclusion The successful experience of harvesting the lung of the brain-death voluntary donor will contribute to the development and promotion of the utilization of brain-death donor suppl ies.
Objective To summarize the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of severe primary graft dysfunction ( PGD grade 3 ) in early stage after lung transplantation. Methods From September 2002 to December 2010, there were 10 patients with severe PGD ( grade 3) in early stage after lung transplantation ( LTx) in 100 patients with end-stage lung disease underwent LTx in Wuxi People’s Hospital. In which there were 2 cases with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 4 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,1 case with lung tuberculosis, 1 case with silicosis, 2 cases with bronchiectasis. There were 7 patients with single LTx [ 3 cases with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ( ECMO) support] and 3 patients with bilateral LTx ( 1 case with ECMO support) . Results The surgical procedures of these 10 patients were successful, however severe PGD occurred on 1-5 days after operation. 4 cases died of respiratory failure with negative fluid balance and mechanical ventilation support, and 2 cases recovered. 4 cases underwent ECMO support, in which 2 cases successfully weaned from ECMO and discharged from hospital, others died of multiple organ failure.Conclusions Severe PGD is one of the fatal early complication after lung transplantation. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to improve the perioperative mortality rate.