Getting the call
When a lung has been identified for you, a transplant coordinator will contact you by telephone or pager. Remember, this could be any time of the day or night.
As soon as you receive the call, do not eat or drink anything (not even water).
Your stomach must be empty before surgery.
It is normal to feel both excited and scared. Because of the natural confusion caused by the need to get to the hospital quickly, you may feel rushed and confused. You’ll be glad you planned ahead to get to the hospital with minimal delay, knowing you have left your home in order.
Getting to the hospital
As soon as you receive the call, bring your suitcase that you’ve packed ahead of time and come directly to The Cleveland Clinic. Even though the donor lung receives special handling, there is a time limit.
If you live more than 1½ hours away from the hospital, the transplant coordinator will arrange transportation for you and one family member. If you live less than 1½ hours away, you must have someone drive you quickly but carefully to the hospital.
When you arrive at the hospital, go to Desk G-50 where you will be admitted.
What happens before surgery?
You will wait in the Transplant Unit until the final results of the crossmatch are determined. If the crossmatch results are negative (or compatible), you will be prepared for surgery (generally within a few hours of your admission).
Just before surgery, you will be asked questions, and tests will be ordered to make sure you are in the best possible physical and emotional condition for the transplant.
If you have a cold, sore throat, fever or any type of infection, it is very important to tell the nursing staff. It also is very important to tell the staff about any other problems you may have.
A complete physical, chest X-ray, blood tests and an electrocardiogram (EKG) will be completed, and the results will be reviewed by your doctor.
While you are being prepared for surgery, one of The Cleveland Clinic transplant surgeons will remove and prepare the donor lung.
If you have a significant medical problem or any signs of infection, or if the donor lung is determined to be unacceptable, the surgery will be canceled. It is better to wait until another lung becomes available than to risk a transplant when you are not physically ready.
Before you go to the operating room, you will be asked to:
- Wear a hospital gown
- Empty your bladder
- Remove your dentures or partial plate
- Remove your eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Remove jewelry, makeup, nail polish and hair pins
To prepare you for the transplant surgery, the incision area will be shaved (from your chest to your knees) to prevent infection. You also will have an intravenous tube (IV) inserted in your arm to deliver fluids and medication. Before going to the operating room, you will be given a sedative to help you relax and make you sleepy.
What happens during surgery?
An anesthesiologist will inject general anesthesia (pain-relieving medication) through your IV, which will make you go to sleep. After you are asleep:
- A central venous catheter is inserted into a vein in your neck or groin. This type of catheter is used to deliver fluids, nutrition solutions, antibiotics or blood products directly into your bloodstream without frequently having to insert a needle into your vein.
- A tube is placed in your mouth that goes down your throat and into your windpipe (trachea) to help you breathe. The tube is attached to a ventilator that will expand your lungs mechanically.
- You are placed on a heart/lung machine to allow surgeons to bypass the blood flow to the heart and lungs. The machine pumps blood This information is not intended to replace the medical through the body, removing carbon dioxide (a waste product) and replacing it with oxygen needed by body tissues.
- A nasogastric tube is inserted through your nose into your stomach. This tube drains secretions from your stomach.
- A tube called a catheter is placed in your bladder to drain urine.
- The surgeon carefully removes your lung and replaces it with the donor lung.
Where can my family wait?
Family members and friends are invited to wait for you in the Family Waiting Lounge until the surgery is completed. This waiting area has a play room for small children, a television, reading materials and comfortable chairs.
The surgery lasts 6 to 12 hours. The Cleveland Clinic has several cafeterias and restaurants, a gift shop and a Health Information Desk that may be of interest. We ask visitors to sign in and out of the waiting area, and provide a phone number so we can contact them if necessary.
A member of the transplant team will meet with your family in the Lounge to keep them updated on your condition. Your family will be notified when the surgery is complete.
For More Information
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 216.444.8282.
We will be happy to answer your questions.