Chest surgery: lung transplant

Cirugía de tórax: trasplante de pulmón

Abstract

The history of lung transplantation began in 1963 with the first human attempt, though it was unsuccessful. The first successful transplant occurred in 1983 in Toronto. In Mexico, experimental surgeries on animals were conducted in 1989, and the first human lung transplant took place in Monterrey in 1994. Since then, several programs have evolved, with the Christus Muguerza Hospital standing out for performing 23 transplants to date. Key factors for success include high case volume, skilled teams, and the use of technologies such as ECMO and bronchial stents. The main indications for lung transplantation are pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, and cystic fibrosis. Challenges in Latin America involve surgical complexity, infection risk, and the need to promote organ donation. Notable cases in Mexico include patients with pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and COVID-19.