[Unilateral lung transplantation: the first 2 cases. Group of Lung Transplantation of the University General Hospital of the Vall d'Hebron].

Since 1983 unilateral lung transplantation has become a clinical reality. The initial experience of the Hospital General Universitario de la Vall d'Hebron is presented with the description of the two first unipulmonary transplants. The first was a 20 year-old woman with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in whom a left unipulmonary transplant was carried out and who, at present is at home following the 23rd postoperative month. The second case was a 27 year-old man with pneumoconiosis who, at 12 months following the left lung transplantation, carries on a normal life. Among the complications observed, the presence of pneumonitis by cytomegalovirus in both patients is of note. Stenosis and partial dehiscence of the bronchial suture in the first patient and isolation of syncitial respiratory virus in the second patient were also observed. The effort and integration into a normal life style of the second patient is excellent. In contrast, the first patient presents an important postoperative functional deterioration secondary to her complications. The present study demonstrates that unipulmonary transplantations is a reality in Spain which must be considered by all respiratory disease specialists in their daily clinical practise.