Surgical considerations in lung transplantation: transplant operation and early postoperative management.

Abstract

During the last 20 years improvements in perioperative care have led to improved outcomes for lung transplant recipients. Although uncommon, technical complications can be the source of significant morbidity and mortality. Infections and ischemia-reperfusion injury continue to have the greatest impact on short-term outcomes of lung transplant recipients, and research into the prevention and treatment of these two entities will be necessary to improve these patients' outcomes significantly.