LUNG TRANSPLANTATION IN PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC-FIBROSIS

Worldwide more than 600 heart-lung or lung transplantations have been performed in patients with cystic fibrosis and end-stage respiratory disease. At the University Hospital in Groningen 10 patients with cystic fibrosis underwent bilateral sequential lung transplantation until April 1994. The 1-year survival was 76%, which is similar to that of lung transplant recipients with other diseases. Postoperative problems were mainly related to acute rejection, chronic graft dysfunction and infection. The main problem for further extension of the lung transplantation program is the persistent shortage of usable donor-organs for cystic fibrosis patients, especially of small-sized donors.