Lobar lung transplantation is becoming an alternative for those patients who are too ill to survive the waiting list for deceased donors.

The donors are typically friends or family members of the patient, with two donors each donating a portion of lung to the recipient. Donor lobectomies for living-related lobar transplantation require a thorough evaluation of potential donors, as well as modification of standard lobectomy and pulmonary preservation techniques.

Becoming a Donor

The first step in becoming a donor is to determine the blood type and lung function capacity in the Pulmonary Function Laboratory. This involves numerous diagnostic and blood tests to determine donor suitability.

After appropriate donors are identified, one is selected for right lower lobectomy and the other for left lower lobectomy. In our experience, the donors typically do well after surgery and are walking 24-48 hours after the operation and are discharged in one to two weeks. The long-term effects for the donors are minimal to none.