Chennai,13th August 2024 : In a ground-breaking achievement,
Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani, a vital link in Tamil Nadu’s leading
multi-specialty healthcare chain, successfully performed three consecutive lung
transplants, in three consecutive days, giving a new lease of life to three
terminally ill patients.
On the occasion of World Organ Donation Day,
celebrated on August 13th, Kauvery Hospital extends heartfelt thanks to the
organ donors and their families, our reputed donor organ coordination authority
- TRANSTAN, donor hospitals and our coordinators who make a second lease of
life possible for patients who are very sick with organ failure. The success of
these transplants highlights the importance of organ donation and the
life-saving potential it holds.
Lung transplantation is a complex procedure where a
diseased lung is replaced with a healthy one from a deceased donor. Despite the
challenges, these transplants can significantly improve a patient’s survival
and quality of life. Currently, in Tamil Nadu, there are two or fewer lung
transplants being done in a month. The Heart and Lung Transplant team at
Kauvery Hospital completed three such lung transplants within three days,
showcasing their expertise and dedication.
The first patient was 72-year- aged, with a BMI of 18,
with progressive lung fibrosis on home oxygen and ventilator support, who underwent
a single lung transplant. The second patient, who had lost 40 kgs due to his
advanced disease from post-COVID fibrosis, received bilateral lung transplants.
An out-of-hours virtual crossmatch was performed to ensure safety of
donor-recipient matching for the third patient who was immunologically
sensitized, and received a double lung transplant.
The first two patients are already off the ventilator
and making excellent progress, while the third patient is also recovering
well. All three cases were performed
without the traditional peri-operative use of circulatory support. This
incredible feat was achieved by our gifted surgical team of Dr. Kumud Dhital,
Dr Prakash & Dr Ram and our equally versatile anaesthetic & critical
care team headed by Dr Pradeep.
Dr. Srinivas Rajagopal who, with his team of
transplant pulmonologists, played a crucial role in the management of these
patients with very advanced lung failure, will also be spearheading their
long-term surveillance and care after hospital discharge.
Credit also goes to our staff in Clinical Perfusion,
OR technicians, specialist nurses in the OR and ICU, dedicated physiotherapy,
and other multi-disciplinary support staff who made this monumental task successful.
The smooth course of recovery of all three patients is a testament to the skill
and tireless dedication of the entire transplant team. It also reflects the
highest standard of care rendered at Kauvery Hospital and underscores the
hospital leadership’s unwavering resolve and commitment to provide such
advanced medical care to improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj,
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said, “This remarkable achievement
by our team at Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani, highlights the hospital’s
commitment to advancing medical science and providing cutting-edge healthcare.
The success of these three lung transplants, carried out in such a short span,
underscores the dedication, expertise, and collaborative spirit of our entire
medical team. We are proud to offer such life-saving procedures and to support
the cause of organ donation, which continues to transform lives.”