Abstract

In 2001 the successful heart and lung transplantation was performed, and in
2002 the single lung in our centre was transplanted. It has taken a few years,
however, to begin the first regular program of lung transplantation in Poland.
Developed in the Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases in 2004, with successful cooperation of the best professional team of transplantologists, anesthesiologists, pulmonologists and cardiologists, so far this program has involved 31 transplants: of single lung, double lung, heart and lung. The great experience of the centre, supported by frequent training, courses and co-operation with well-known, recognized transplant centers abroad let us manage with most common complications in this kind of procedure like rejections, infections, bronchial stenosis. Also own innovations in immunosuppression protocol have been introduced. 21 patients after successful lung transplantation were discharged from the hospital with good pulmonary efficiency. Despite the limited experience and the small case volume, the survival of patients was good and comparable with international experience. The presentation reviews the current strategies in lung transplantation as well as in the recipients treatment, surgical techniques, limitations of and outcome after lung transplantation in Poland.

Keywords: Lung Transplantation