Yashoda Hospitals completes first-ever double lung transplant in India

HYDERABAD: Yashoda hospitals in Secunderabad performed the first-ever double lung transplantation in India successfully, saving a 23-year-old man from paraquat poisoning and pulmonary fibrosis.

This is the fourth successful and rare double lung transplant case in the world, giving a young man a new lease on life and a proud moment for our country in the history of lung transplantation, according to Dr. Pavan Gorukanti, Director of the Yashoda Group of hospitals.

Rohit, a 23-year-old man from Mahabubabad district, was admitted to Yashoda hospitals after consuming poison that damaged his lungs, kidneys, and liver. He had been fighting for his life for the past month after being put on mechanical ventilation and then additional corporal support (ECMO).

The patient consumed paraquat, a highly toxic contact herbicide, which can be cleared by the kidney after being taken up by tissues. The active accumulation of paraquat in the lungs is a major cause of lung injury, leading to irreversible pulmonary fibrosis. Respiratory failure is the primary cause of death in the late phase of paraquat intoxication.

"The patient experienced a multiorgan injury due to paraquat, necessitating multiple organ support, including dialysis and ECMO. After being supported on ECMO for over 15 days, he was considered for a lung transplant due to no improvement. Lung transplants for these conditions were performed in a few global centers. No Indian survivors have been reported for this condition so far. A team of senior pulmonologists, thyracic and lung transplant surgeons performed bilateral lung transplantation at Yashoda hospitals, Secunderabad after conducting a specific test to ensure no poison remains in the body," said Dr. Pavan Gorukanti Director, Yashoda Group of hospitals.

Dr. Hari Kishan Gonuguntla, senior interventional ppulmonologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Secunderabad, said, "This type of lung transplantation was conducted successfully in India for the first time for the above ailment, and there are only four cases worldwide where the lung transplantation was performed. Thus we believe that our case is the only longest survivor in India.

"This case was unique in many ways because there are limitations in the availability of tests to determine the residual amount remaining in the body before transplant. He was on ECMO for nearly one month, had multiple blood stream and respiratory infections prior to transplant, and was almost in bed for nearly one month prior to transplant," Dr. Hari Kishan Gonuguntla added.

The patient received donor lungs from a cadaveric brain dead donor as part of the state-run Jeevandan organ donation initiative. The procedure, led by senior interventional pulmonologist Dr Hari Kishan Gonuguntla, thoracic and lung transplant srgeons Dr K.R Balasubramoniam, Dr. Manjunath Bale, Dr. Chetan, Dr. Sricharan, Dr. Vimi Vargehese, and the team at Yashoda hospitals, Secunderabad.

"The fourth successful double lung transplant case in the world had been completed, giving a new lease of life to a young man and marking a proud moment for our country, " said Dr. Pavan Gorukanti Director.

The patient, who was recently discharged, is now able to perform routine activities without additional oxygen support and is doing well under the close supervision of the lung transplant team.