What are the types of lung transplants?
Most infants, children and adolescents who are candidates will receive two lungs from a deceased donor who has been diagnosed with brain death. Bilateral or double lung transplant organs are matched by blood type and the height of the donor and recipient. Children 12 years of age or older are listed with a lung score as well. The standard transplant operation involves several hours of cardiopulmonary bypass (a heart-lung machine), and the operation takes approximately 6 to 10 hours. In unusual circumstances, heart-lung transplantation or lung-liver transplantation may be necessary. The heart and lungs of a single donor are implanted together while the child is on cardiopulmonary bypass. The same surgeons who perform the isolated lung transplantation also perform this procedure.
