IL TRAPIENTO DI POLMONE SINGOLO NEL TRATTAMENTO DELL BRONCOPNEUMOPATIE CRONICHE OSTRUTTIVE IN FASE TERMINALE. LA PRIMA ESPERIENZA ITALIANA

Emphysematous patients that were once treated with double lung transplantation can now also be treated with single lung transplantation. However single lung transplantation in emphysematous patients present problems in lung size matching, choice between right or left lung to transplant and postoperative assistance. Analysing their own experience of three single lung transplants performed on emphysematous patients, the authors evaluate the effectiveness of the operation, the results and the difficulties encountered. Single lung transplantation is a good therapeutic option for end stage emphysematous patients. In these patients right lung transplantation is preferable, the donor organ should be oversized. Positive End Expiratory Pressure should never be used in the native emphysematous lung.