Lung transplantation in India

1. Before transplant
Prior to the lung transplant process, patients should undergo a comprehensive assessment conducted by their physician. This happens to analyze whether a patient has the right to the procedure. The basic steps a patient passes through are:

Diagnostic Tests: These tests help physicians assess the patient’s lung condition and the patient’s general health. Can include x-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, lung function tests, and lung biopsy. Additionally, female patients can also perform tests such as Pap smears, mammograms, and general gynecological assessments.
Blood tests help patients find the right donor. Therefore, the chances of immunity acceptance after transplantation are minimized.
Social and psychological assessments. This is important because it analyzes the patient’s mental health, stress, family support, and financial options. These factors also play an integral role in the success of the procedure.
Apart from assessment, patients also expect to make certain changes to their lifestyle. Stop smoking at least 3 months before surgery
Follow a healthy and balanced diet.
Get regular movements
2. Find a donor
According to human farmers’ law transplants, international patients in India are not entitled to register for lung transplants as part of NOTO (National Organ & Tissue Transplantation).
Therefore, international patients in India cannot perform lung transplants.
However, live lung transplants in India are a great option for international patients. In the case of live donor implants, patients must find a donor that suits them well. In most cases, this could be a close family member or a blood-related, related, potential donor.
Donors must be for a successful healthy and nonsmoker transplant. A living donor will donate a portion of his lungs to a patient, usually a low rag.
3. Lung transplant surgery
After the doctor and patient are satisfied with the implant and pre-approved procedure for the living donor, the implant surgery can be performed.
Surgery is performed under general anesthesia and can take 6-8 hours.
The patient stays for the entire ventilation support procedure and breathes through the intubation pipe. This is also useful for patients with other physical functions.
During surgery, the surgeon reduces the main condition and surrounding blood vessels, removes diseased parts of the lungs and replaces them with donated parts. The average blood vessels will recover. Prior to this procedure, another procedure is performed by the surgeon to remove healthy flap structures from the donor’s body.
4. After lung transplant surgery
After a successful implant surgery, the patient’s condition is monitored in the intensive care unit for at least 4-5 days.
The patient is then moved to a normal station where he is placed under observation for 2-3 weeks.
Physicians can also suggest that patients follow a pulmonary rehabilitation program to maintain breathing ability. This includes consulting meetings that inform patients about healthy life after transplantation.
During hospitalization, routine tests such as lung function tests, EKG and lung biopsy are performed to assess patient recovery and healing.