Single Lung Transplant

medical tourism Single Lung Transplant

For patients needing a single lung transplant, medical tourism offers access to internationally accredited transplant centers in countries like India, Turkey, Spain, and South Korea at 40-60% lower costs compared to the US or Europe (typically $120, 000 -$ 250,000). Top hospitals such as Apollo Hospitals (India), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (Spain), and Seoul National University Hospital (South Korea) provide advanced surgical techniques, shorter wait times (3-9 months vs. 1+ year in many Western countries), and comprehensive care packages including pre-transplant evaluation, surgery, ICU recovery, and initial post-op immunosuppression management. Key advantages include JCI-accredited facilities, English-speaking medical teams, and personalized patient coordinators to handle travel logistics

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Single Lung Transplant – Eligibility, Surgery & Life Expectancy

What Is a Single Lung Transplant?

A single lung transplants replaces one diseased lung with a healthy donor lung. It’s typically recommended for patients with end-stage lung disease affecting primarily one lung or those who are older/weaker candidates for double lung transplants.

Conditions That May Require a Single Lung Transplants:

COPD (Emphysema)
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Sarcoidosis
Pulmonary Hypertension (select cases)

Single vs. Double Lung Transplant: Key Differences

Factor	Single Lung Transplant	Double Lung Transplant
Surgery Complexity	Less invasive	More complex
Recovery Time	3–4 weeks	4–6 weeks
Ideal Candidates	Older patients, emphysema	Younger patients, cystic fibrosis
5-Year Survival Rate	~50%	~55-60%

The Transplant Process

1. Evaluation & Waitlisting

Testing: CT scans, pulmonary function tests, cardiac evaluation.
Psychological screening to assess readiness.
Waitlist time: Varies by region (6 months–2 years).

2. The Surgery (4–8 Hours)

Incision: Side of chest (thoracotomy).
One lung removed, donor lung connected to airways/blood vessels.
No heart-lung machine needed in most cases.

3. Post-Operative Recovery

ICU stay: 3–7 days.
Ventilator support: 1–2 days.
Immunosuppressants: Lifelong medications to prevent rejection.

Risks & Complications

Acute rejection (most common in first year).
Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD).
Infections (pneumonia, CMV).
Side effects of immunosuppressants (kidney damage, diabetes).

Life After Transplant

Hospital follow-ups: Weekly initially, then monthly.
Pulmonary rehab: 3–6 months of breathing exercises.
Activity: Most patients return to light activities within 3 months.
Survival: 80% at 1 year, 50% at 5 years (varies by diagnosis).

Conclusion

A single lung transplants can significantly improve quality of life for eligible patients, though it requires lifelong medical management.

The growing field of medical tourism encompasses a wide range of travel motivations, all focused on seeking healthcare services abroad. The industry, which often overlaps with health tourism, facilitates treatment abroad for people seeking everything from routine procedures to complex surgeries. Patients are attracted to international medical services provided by international specialty hospitals and clinics, driven by factors such as cost savings, shorter wait times or access to advanced technologies.

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