Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2011; 59(2): 115-118
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1250668
Original Thoracic

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Does Side Matter? Effect of Single Lung Transplant Laterality on Outcomes

I. Ben Nachum1 , O. Moreh1 , Y. Raviv2 , I. Bakal2 , D. Shitrit2 , M. R. Kramer2 , B. D. Fox2
  • 1Department of Radiology, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tiqwa, Israel
  • 2Pulmonary Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tiqwa, Israel
Further Information

Publication History

received April 27, 2010

Publication Date:
07 March 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Previous works have suggested that recipients of left single lung transplant (SLT) have a worse outcome than those receiving right SLT. We evaluated the effect of SLT laterality on outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of SLT recipients followed up at our center. One hundred and nineteen patients were reviewed (53 left SLT, 66 right SLT). We extracted data on lung function, exercise capacity, relative graft perfusion, airway complications, acute rejection episodes, infections and mortality. Results: There was no significant difference between right and left lung recipients with regard to baseline demographic and physiological characteristics. Lung function, exercise capacity and relative graft perfusion improved in both groups following transplantation. We observed a higher graft perfusion in right-sided grafts compared to left (p = 0.048). There was no significant difference between the two groups in physiological outcomes, rejection or infection episodes, the presence of chronic rejection or mortality. We observed a statistically higher need for bronchial stent insertion during early follow-up amongst the left lung recipients (p = 0.022). Conclusions: Both right and left lungs are equally suitable for transplantation. The left-sided bronchial anastomosis may be more vulnerable to complications.