First lung transplantation in Belarus

The most important basis for the transplantation development in Belarus is that patients, who are scheduled for such procedures, don't have other choice: either death or organ replacement.

Basis of Lung Transplantation Worldwide

Japanese surgeons performed the first operation on atypical lung autotransplantation in March 2012. And almost a year later, in February 2013 our surgeons conducted the second similar transplantation in the Department of thoracic surgery in RSPC.

Belarussian Patient Fills Good

The 58-year-old patient developed an unusual situation: on the upper lobe of the left bronchus appeared a tumor, which passed to the sections of the lower lobes. This diagnosis has always led to the complete removal of the entire lung. But the patient had a tumor in the right lung also, thus the preservation of the left lung became acute issue. Affected segments were cut off and removed, and viable segments of the lung were implanted in the pleural cavity.

Preparation, surgeons and hospital

Difficulty of the work was in the fact that relative sizes of the bronchi were quite different and pulmonary artery resembled rags, which the surgeons had to make a platform, and then sew it into the artery. Team of nine highly qualified specialists carried out quite rare and complex surgery for six hours. Today the patient is transferred from ICU and feels OK. He was allowed to get up and take short walks. Chest (or thoracic) surgery branch was opened last year in November on the basis of the 9th Municipal Clinical Hospital. The branch is able to take  20 patients. The major task of this department is to study the latest technologies, preparation for placement programs and lung transplant surgeries.

Lung Transplantation Needs

Every year in Belarus, more than 50 people need a lung transplantation. There is hope that the first transplantation of the lung will be held by the end of 2013. The department is open for a few months only, and it is equipped with the latest equipment that helps to perform operations with organ preservation. Transplantation is one of the most high-tech types of patient care. A country medical care development is judged by the ability to provide organ transplantation. The possibility of lung transplantation is determined by the coordinated work of the whole Department staff (neurologists, surgeons of all fields, and forensic experts). Organ transplantation is an expensive procedure. Nevertheless, all developed countries put on stream such surgeries, because it is profitable for the patient in first, and ultimately - for the entire health care system.