Respiratory Function after Lung Homotransplantation with a Ten-Month Survival in Man1

In a patient surviving for 10 months after homotransplantation of the right lung, respiratory function was studied repeatedly before and after surgery. The results indicated an improvement in ventilatory function and gas exchange. The persistence of lung volume restriction and the appearance of an associated airway obstruction still severely limited the patient's postoperative function and his ability to perform physical effort. The effects of chronic infection and rejection on respiratory function were observed. An attempt was made to study possible effects of the denervation of the transplanted lung.