Gleneagles Hospital Chennai Performs India’s First Adult Lung Transplant Using Pediatric Donor Lungs

Gleneagles Hospital Chennai, a part of the Fortis Healthcare Network, has successfully performed India’s first adult lung transplant using lungs from a pediatric donor, offering a new lease of life to a 39-year-old woman from West Bengal suffering from advanced Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease (RA-ILD).

The patient had been battling RA-ILD for the past six years. The progressive condition, associated with rheumatoid arthritis, causes severe scarring of the lungs and significantly impairs breathing. Despite ongoing medical treatment, her condition deteriorated steadily, with her oxygen requirement increasing from 1 litre per minute to 8 litres per minute. This severely impacted her quality of life and ability to carry out routine daily activities.

The patient approached Dr. Govini Balasubramani, Director, Heart & Lung Transplant, Gleneagles Hospital Chennai, supported by Dr. Sindhura Koganti, Senior Consultant - Pulmonology, Interventional Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Dr. Vimi Varghese, Senior Consultant - Pulmonology, Interventional Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, and Dr. Sushmita Roychowdhury, Senior Consultant - Pulmonology.

 

 Approximately five months ago, she visited the team to explore the possibility of a lung transplant. However, finding a suitable donor proved particularly challenging due to her height, weight, and advanced stage of lung disease. As her condition worsened, she required multiple hospital admissions, highlighting the urgent need for a life-saving transplant.

A breakthrough came when the transplant team received information from government authorities regarding a young paediatric brain-dead donor following a road traffic accident. Given the rarity of such a scenario, the team undertook a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether the donor lungs could be safely transplanted into an adult recipient. After detailed assessment and meticulous planning, the team concluded that the organs could be successfully matched despite significant size and anatomical differences.

The transplant procedure presented unique surgical challenges, particularly in adapting and connecting the donor’s vascular and bronchial structures to those of the adult recipient. Despite these complexities, the multidisciplinary transplant team successfully completed the surgery without the use of artificial pump support.

Commenting on the landmark achievement, Dr Govini Balasubramani, Director, Heart & Lung Transplant, Gleneagles Hospital Chennai, a part of the Fortis Healthcare Network, said: “This was a highly complex transplant due to the significant size mismatch between the donor and recipient lungs. We are deeply grateful to the donor family for their selfless decision during an incredibly difficult time, which gave our patient a second chance at life. This case demonstrates the transformative impact of organ donation and showcases the possibilities of advanced transplant care in India.”

Following the successful transplant, the patient made a remarkable recovery and was discharged within 12 days. She is now able to walk independently and no longer requires oxygen support.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in Indian transplantation. Pediatric donor lungs are rarely considered for adult recipients due to challenges related to size mismatch and the complexity of connecting critical vascular and airway structures. The successful outcome highlights the potential for expanding donor utilization, increasing transplant opportunities, and reducing wait-list mortality among patients with end-stage lung disease.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. R. Y. Bharath Kanth Reddy, Chief Executive Officer, Chennai & Hyderabad Cluster, Gleneagles Hospitals, a part of the Fortis Healthcare Network, said, “This landmark procedure reflects our commitment to delivering advanced, patient-centric care and showcases the expertise of our multidisciplinary transplant team. Successfully performing India's first adult lung transplant using lungs from a 13-year-old donor highlights how innovative approaches in organ transplantation can expand opportunities for critically ill patients awaiting life-saving organs.”

Commenting on the hospital's commitment to delivering advanced transplant care, Ms. S. Niranjani, Chief Operating Officer & Hospital Head, Gleneagles Hospital Chennai, a part of the Fortis Healthcare Network, said, "At Gleneagles Hospital Chennai, we remain committed to delivering advanced clinical care backed by multidisciplinary expertise and innovation. This milestone reflects our team's unwavering dedication to providing the best possible outcomes for patients with complex medical conditions."

Highlighting the clinical significance of the achievement, Dr. Biswarup Pal, Head of Medical Services, Gleneagles Hospital Chennai, a part of the Fortis Healthcare Network, said, "This successful transplant underscores the strength of coordinated multidisciplinary care and clinical excellence. It highlights our commitment to advancing transplant medicine while ensuring the highest standards of patient safety and care."

The patient's recovery was very remarkable. She was extubated on the first postoperative day, began walking independently without oxygen support by the third postoperative day, and was discharged on the twelfth postoperative day. Today, she is breathing normally and has returned to her daily activities independently, marking a significant improvement in her quality of life.