78-Year-old Becomes Asia’s Oldest Recipient of Bilateral Lung Transplant at MGM Healthcare

• A new lease of life has been given to a 78-year-old patient with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome
• The patient was on prolonged ECMO support for over fifty days 

CHENNAI, July 4th, 2023 - MGM Healthcare, a multi-specialty quaternary care hospital in the heart of Chennai is proud to announce the successful completion of a high-risk bilateral lung transplantation procedure on the oldest patient in Asia. Leading the complex surgery were Dr. K.R. Balakrishnan, Director - Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant & Mechanical Circulatory Support, & consultant cardio thoracic and vascular surgeon MGM Healthcare, Dr. Suresh Rao KG, Co-Director, Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support  & Consultant Cardio-pulmonary Critical Care medicine at MGM Healthcare and Dr. Apar Jindal, Clinical Director & Consultant, Department of Lung Transplant & Interventional Pulmonology, MGM Healthcare. The 78-year-old patient from Bangalore, battling aspiration pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), was on ventilator support for 15 days and on ECMO support for more than 50 days at a private hospital in Bangalore. He was later referred and brought to MGM Healthcare.

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Mr. Santhosh (Name Changed), a resident of Bangalore is a retired mechanical engineer, was staying in California with his family for some time, he had returned to India to attend his niece’s wedding.  He had apparently choked on his food, that same night he had sudden difficulty in breathing while he was asleep. The family took him to a hospital in Bangalore where it was diagnosed that some food particle had got into his lungs. His oxygen saturation level being below 40%, he was put on a ventilator, however his situation did not improve and he had to be initiated on ECMO(Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation). As his lungs did not show any improvement, the hospital could not help any further and his family members shifted him to MGM Healthcare, Chennai.  

After a multi-disciplinary discussion and deliberation, the heart and lung transplant team at MGM Healthcare suggested a bilateral lung transplantation. Keeping in mind all the pros and cons of a major procedure, considering the age factor, the experts suggested a lung transplant as the patient was otherwise fit and could endure a surgery. Having registered in the state transplant registry for bilateral lung transplantation, the patient underwent the procedure following the availability of a suitable brain-dead donor.

"We are thrilled with the successful outcome of Mr. Santhosh’s (Name changed) high-risk bilateral lung transplantation," Dr. K.R. Balakrishnan, Director - Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant & Mechanical Circulatory Support, & consultant cardio thoracic and vascular surgeon MGM Healthcare, "Given the patient's condition and age (78 years), this procedure presented significant challenges. Immediately after surgery, the patient was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Diligent efforts were made to ensure his well-being. Our multidisciplinary team at MGM Healthcare worked tirelessly to provide him with exceptional care. We are immensely proud of his progress; with a remarkable recovery he is ready to be discharged in the coming days."

Expressing satisfaction with the achievement, Dr. Suresh Rao KG, Co-Director, Institute of Heart & Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support & Consultant Cardio-pulmonary Critical Care medicine at MGM Healthcare remarked, "The family had consulted us when there was no hope left for his recovery, so we suggest undergoing a bilateral lung transplant. The family was very supportive and they brought him to Chennai for the surgery. The successful outcome of this high-risk bilateral lung transplantation is a testament to the unwavering commitment and dedication of our healthcare professionals. MGM Healthcare continues to lead the way in performing complex surgeries and organ transplantations, and we are overjoyed to witness such positive results."

Dr. Apar Jindal, Clinical Director & Consultant, Department of Lung Transplant & Interventional Pulmonology, MGM Healthcare, said, "The success of this intricate surgery highlights the expertise and capabilities of our esteemed medical professionals at MGM Healthcare. Employing advanced and state-of-the-art technologies, coupled with personalized care, our team ensured complete safety and well-being throughout the entire process. We remain fully committed to providing exceptional medical care and pioneering treatments to patients in need."

As MGM Healthcare celebrates this remarkable milestone, Mr. Harish Manian, CEO of MGM Healthcare, extended his appreciation to the team, "We are immensely proud of the exceptional work carried out by our dedicated healthcare professionals, who consistently strive to push the boundaries of medical excellence. This successful high-risk bilateral lung transplantation exemplifies our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class healthcare services. We remain steadfast in our dedication to offering cutting-edge treatments and transforming lives through our relentless pursuit of medical innovation."

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