At the age of 78, this man got a lung transplant, became the first elderly man in Asia

At the age of 78, this man got a lung transplant, became the first elderly man in Asia


A news related to health remained in headlines throughout the day. Actually, a 78-year-old man has successfully got both his lungs transplanted. The news is getting more headlines because despite being old, this man successfully got transplanted, after which he has made a new record. Asia’s first man who survived this operation despite being so old.

This team of doctors from Chennai made it happen 

According to the report, the successful completion of this risky offer was made possible by the doctors of MGM Healthcare, a multi-specialty hospital in Chennai. Dr. KR Balakrishnan, Director, Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support, along with Dr. Suresh Rao KG, Co-Director, and Dr. Apar Jindal, Director, Department of Pulmonology, carried out this complex surgery.

According to the news published in India Today, the person who has been operated is the fictitious name of Santosh. Santosh was suffering from acute respiratory illness (ARDS). It is also called aspiration pneumonia. He was put on ventilator support for the first 15 days. Also he was on ECMO (Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) support for more than 50 years. 

The whole process went like this

Considering all the pros and cons of this complex procedure, keeping in mind the age the experts suggested lung transplant as the patient was otherwise fit and could tolerate the surgery. After being registered on the state transplant registry for both lung transplants, the patient underwent the procedure following the availability of a suitable brain-dead donor.

How is a lung transplant done

Transplant of both lungs is a surgical technique, in which surgeons remove both the bad lungs one by one. And then the donor’s lungs are connected to the patient’s breathing tube  and the blood vessels coming from the heart. Given the condition and age of the patient, this procedure presented significant challenges. Immediately after the surgery, the patient was admitted to the ICU. After which he has been kept in observation for a few days. It is possible that now the patient will be discharged in a few days. 

Disclaimer: Before following the methods, methods and suggestions mentioned in this article, consult a doctor or concerned expert. Do take it.

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