Brian Jeffrey
On May 7, the hospital marked its fifth anniversary of the Lung Transplant Center’s founding. In April, the center successfully conducted two transplants within a single week, bringing the total number of procedures to six, which represents nearly half of the lung transplants performed across the country.
The first transplant was for a 54-year-old woman from Hanoi who was suffering from end-stage lung disease and was unresponsive to traditional medical treatments, compounded by other serious health issues. For the past two years, she relied on oxygen support for six hours each day, facing a high mortality risk.
The donor lung originated from a 38-year-old man who was pronounced brain-dead at People’s Hospital 115 in Ho Chi Minh City. The organ was transported by air to Hanoi, marking the first instance of a lung being retrieved and transplanted across states in Vietnam.
On the evening of April 11, an eight-hour surgery took place at the National Lung Hospital. Following the operation, the patient has been showing positive signs of recovery at the Lung Transplant Center.
Her post-surgery recovery progressed well, with health markers indicating significant improvement.
A week later, a second case involved a 37-year-old woman from Thanh Hoa, who received a lung from a brain-dead 35-year-old man at Bach Mai Hospital.
Just eight hours post-surgery, she displayed remarkable progress, was extubated, and began breathing independently with her new lungs. Within a week, her breathing returned to normal levels. This rapid recovery is noteworthy and meets the standards of advanced medical practices in developed nations.
Prior to her transplant, she was battling lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), which drastically compromised her lung capacity. Over the course of a year, she experienced worsening respiratory issues, lost 5kg, and required 14-16 hours of oxygen support daily for two months, facing life-threatening conditions without the transplant.
“Every lung transplant poses a significant challenge, showcasing the remarkable progress in our organ transplantation journey,” remarked Dr. Luong. Lung transplants are one of the more intricate forms of organ transplantation, necessitating careful collaboration among various departments. At the National Lung Hospital, this operation has become a standard procedure, aiming to evolve into a regional center for lung transplants, catering to both local and international patients.
According to Dr. Luong, Vietnam has completed 14 lung transplants to date, with approximately 900 individuals needing such procedures.
Although the expense for a lung transplant in Vietnam is comparatively lower than in many parts of the world, it still represents a significant financial challenge for numerous families.
To enhance access to this complex procedure, he proposed that social insurance should cover the costs associated with lung transplants.
