Bilateral Sequential Lung Transplantation

Positioning of the patient and skin incision. (A) The patient is placed in a supine position with both arms lifted anteriorly and abducted carefully, avoiding over-abduction and potential stretch injury. The forearms are rested on cushioned support as the arms are flexed slightly at the level of the elbow. In all patients, monitoring includes arterial catheter, pulmonary artery catheter, and transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). We routinely place a femoral arterial line for patient monitoring purposes because of a high rate of radial artery line failures. The patient is kept warm through the use of a posteriorly placed warming device and an anteriorly placed warming blanket positioned below the umbilicus. The chest is prepped to the edge of the body laterally where the skin meets the sheet of the operating table. For a male patient (B), the trans-sternal bilateral anterior thoracotomy (“clamshell” incision) is performed at the level of the fourth intercostal space. For a female patient, the skin incision is made at or below the inframammary crease, and the chest is opened through the fourth intercostal space after a breast flap is developed and retracted superiorly on each side (C). After ligating the internal mammary pedicles, we routinely divide the sternal transversely. Although we have had a low incidence of sternal complications, other groups have reported more sternal wound problems and preferentially perform the procedure without division of the sternum through separate bilateral antero-lateral thoracotomies. Posterolateral thoracotomy through the fifth intercostal space can be used on either side for single-lung transplantation or on both sides as an alternative to the “clamshell” incision. This may be particularly useful in situations where extensive adhesions are expected, such as patients with mycetomas, previous lobectomy, or retransplantation.

Positioning of the patient and skin incision. (A) The patient is placed in a supine position with both arms lifted anteriorly and abducted carefully, avoiding over-abduction and potential stretch injury. The forearms are rested on cushioned support as the arms are flexed slightly at the level of the elbow. In all patients, monitoring includes arterial catheter, pulmonary artery catheter, and transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). We routinely place a femoral arterial line for patient monitoring purposes because of a high rate of radial artery line failures. The patient is kept warm through the use of a posteriorly placed warming device and an anteriorly placed warming blanket positioned below the umbilicus. The chest is prepped to the edge of the body laterally where the skin meets the sheet of the operating table. For a male patient (B), the trans-sternal bilateral anterior thoracotomy (“clamshell” incision) is performed at the level of the fourth intercostal space. For a female patient, the skin incision is made at or below the inframammary crease, and the chest is opened through the fourth intercostal space after a breast flap is developed and retracted superiorly on each side (C). After ligating the internal mammary pedicles, we routinely divide the sternal transversely. Although we have had a low incidence of sternal complications, other groups have reported more sternal wound problems and preferentially perform the procedure without division of the sternum through separate bilateral antero-lateral thoracotomies. Posterolateral thoracotomy through the fifth intercostal space can be used on either side for single-lung transplantation or on both sides as an alternative to the “clamshell” incision. This may be particularly useful in situations where extensive adhesions are expected, such as patients with mycetomas, previous lobectomy, or retransplantation.

Chest wall retractors are placed on each side; the overall exposure to both diseased lungs is appreciated. At this point, it is important to divide the mediastinal pleura superiorly to the level of the mammary vein and inferiorly to the level of the pericardium with cautery. Before widely opening the retractors, the intercostal muscles in the fourth intercostal space are divided in the lateral and posterior direction to maximize the overall exposure with the clamshell incision while preserving the overlying latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior laterally. Adhesions are routinely encountered and are particularly prevalent in patients with CF, previous pneumothoraces, or previous pulmonary resections. Although most adhesions can be safely divided using electrocautery, dissection of mediastinal adhesions in the area of the phrenic nerve should be done sharply and with great caution. Following lung reduction surgery or previous lobectomies, adhesions to the mediastinum may be such that the phrenic nerve cannot be identified. In these circumstances, it is often prudent to divide the overlying lung tissue using a GIA stapler and to leave a small amount of residual lung to prevent phrenic nerve injury. This usually is accomplished after all other aspects of the pneumonectomy have been performed. Frequently, this is the most time-consuming portion of the operation.

In recipients with small chest cavities such as most patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a figure-of-eight traction suture (0-silk) is placed into the fibrous dome of the diaphragm, and this suture is brought out of the chest using a crochet hook passed through a 14-gauge angio-catheter placed in the most infero-lateral aspect of the pleural cavity. The diaphragm is retracted inferiorly while pulling down with the suture, and the suture is secured external to the chest wall with a small clamp. To aid in the exposure of the left hilum, a heavy silk retraction stitch is placed inferiorly on the pericardium, posterior to the phrenic nerve, and anterior to the inferior pulmonary vein. The silk suture is passed through a heavy-duty Rummel tourniquet, fashioned from a red rubber Robinson catheter, thus allowing the heart to be safely retracted upward and to the right to provide improved exposure during further dissection of the hilar structures and implantation of the donor lung (B). Br = bronchus; IPV = inferior pulmonary vein; PA = pulmonary artery; PN = phrenic nerve; SPV = superior pulmonary vein.

Although most lung transplants can be performed safely and efficiently without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), CPB should be used whenever recipient hemodynamics, poor systemic perfusion, or technical factors dictate. We use CPB on a planned basis for patients (1) with severe pulmonary hypertension; (2) requiring intracardiac procedures such as atrial septic defect/ventral septic defect closure or valve repair; (3) with an airway too small to place a double lumen tube; (4) who are large relative to the donor lung to avoid full cardiac output through a small vascular bed; and (5) with fragile left atrial tissue or inadequate donor left atrial cuff that allows the anastomoses to be performed without clamps using either cardioplegic arrest or fibrillatory arrest. Particularly for patients with pulmonary hypertension and presumed passive hepatic congestion, the bypass circuit is primed with fresh frozen plasma to mitigate peri-transplant coagulopathy. The use of heparin-coated Carmeda circuits is advocated by some groups to reduce coagulation dysregulation. We routinely use such circuits when extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used. For right and bilateral lung transplants, cannulation is performed in the chest using the right atrial appendage for placement of a 120° double-stage cannula for venous return and ascending aorta cannulation for arterial return. For left lung transplants, femoral venous cannulation is performed with a long Bio-Medicus venous (15 to 19 French) for venous return with descending aorta cannulation for arterial return. Femoral venous cannulation may be difficult in the decubitus position and in urgent situations venous return can be achieved by cannulating the left pulmonary artery, allowing more time to achieve either femoral venous access. Alternatively, we have been able to access the right atrial appendage following initiation of CPB. Although CPB can be performed at any point in the operation as needed, our preference is to perform as much of the dissection including a pneumonectomy before initiating bypass. When CPB is utilized, we perform both pneumonectomies and full mobilization of all bronchus, pulmonary arteries, and left atrial cuffs before initiating any portion of the implant procedure. If right-sided distension occurs, the pulmonary artery on the contralateral side from the side of the initial implantation can be vented or simply divided and drained into a sump catheter placed into the pleural space.

For bilateral lung transplants, we routinely mobilize both hilar structures completely before initiating the recipient pneumonectomy. Which pneumonectomy and subsequent implantation is done first is dependent on several factors listed in the relative order of importance: (1) normal chest cavity size and configuration; (2) donor lung quality (a donor lung with contusion, consolidation, procurement injury is done second); (3) worst native lung function (this side should preferentially be done first); and (4) the greater technical difficulty usually related to the amount and extent of adhesions but also exposure (left usually worse than right). The recipient pneumonectomy differs from conventional pneumonectomies in that intrapericardial dissection is always done, division of the pulmonary artery is done at or beyond the takeoff of the branch vessels, and the bronchus is divided immediately proximal to the upper lobe orifice. We find that the use of the endo GIA stapler facilitates the ligation and division of the pulmonary arteries and the pulmonary veins.

For bilateral lung transplants, we routinely mobilize both hilar structures completely before initiating the recipient pneumonectomy. Which pneumonectomy and subsequent implantation is done first is dependent on several factors listed in the relative order of importance: (1) normal chest cavity size and configuration; (2) donor lung quality (a donor lung with contusion, consolidation, procurement injury is done second); (3) worst native lung function (this side should preferentially be done first); and (4) the greater technical difficulty usually related to the amount and extent of adhesions but also exposure (left usually worse than right). The recipient pneumonectomy differs from conventional pneumonectomies in that intrapericardial dissection is always done, division of the pulmonary artery is done at or beyond the takeoff of the branch vessels, and the bronchus is divided immediately proximal to the upper lobe orifice. We find that the use of the endo GIA stapler facilitates the ligation and division of the pulmonary arteries and the pulmonary veins.

After the lung is removed, the pericardium around the hilar structures is circumferentially incised. Development of Waterson’s groove on the right side, division of attachments from the roof of the left atrium to the pulmonary artery, and the posterior left atrial wall and pericardium facilitate subsequent left atrial clamp placement. The pulmonary arteries are mobilized proximally. On the right side, this requires division of attachments anteriorly to the superior vena cava. On the left side, attention is paramount to avoid recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Particularly in the antero-superior portion of the left pulmonary artery, the use of electrocautery is avoided. It is important to establish hemostasis, especially in the posterior mediastinum before initiating lung implantation. Particularly in patients with CF and sarcoidosis, bleeding from lymph nodes and large bronchiole arteries can be problematic. Wide extirpation of these lymph node groups with clip ligation of the bronchial arteries and other source vessels provides excellent hemostasis, improves exposure, and can assist in preventing vascular anastomotic complications. Beginning in the plane immediately posterior to the pericardium facilitates this dissection. The vagus nerve located posterior and lateral to the right-sided lymph node group should be identified and protected. We place 2-0 silk sutures through the vessel staple lines and through the anterior cartilaginous portion of the trachea to allow retraction of these vessels and the airway to facilitate exposure and the subsequent anastomoses.

Before performing the donor lung implantation, the postero-lateral closure sutures are placed using two figure-of-eight stitches using a monofilament no. 1 suture. Similarly, the posterior pleural drains are placed. We prefer to use one large bore chest tube that is removed usually within 24 hours of the procedure and one 24-French soft drain which is left for longer pleural drainage. Heparin is administered through a central vein (100 units/kg) with a goal activated clotting time of approximately 300 seconds.

There is little difference between the implantation of the left or right lung. Usually, the left lung implantation is slightly more difficult when performing a bilateral lung transplant because the heart and left atrial appendage impedes the exposure for the left atrial anastomosis. The anastomoses are usually performed by the surgeon on the ipsilateral side. However, the anterior portion of the bronchial anastomosis is often more easily performed by the contralateral-sided surgeon. The mainstem bronchus is cut with a scalpel just proximal to the takeoff of the upper lobe bronchus. After the cartilaginous portion of the bronchus is divided with a blade, a retraction stitch is placed anteriorly to secure control over the bronchus. The remainder of the bronchial wall (posterior, membranous portion) is then divided sharply. Any secretions within the lumen are aspirated and proper placement of the endotracheal tube location is confirmed. The pleural space, bronchus, and endotracheal lumen are irrigated with an antibiotic solution. After aspirating the antibiotic solution, iced laparotomy sponges are placed posteriorly in the pleural cavity, and the donor lung is orthotopically positioned in the pleural cavity. The recipient bronchus and donor bronchus are aligned, and the bronchial anastomosis is performed with a 4-0 PDS suture in a running fashion. The posterior, membranous portion of the bronchial anastomosis is performed first, starting from one corner of the membrano-cartilaginous junctions. The anterior, cartilaginous portion of the bronchus is anastomosed similarly using the running technique. Because one bronchus is usually larger than the other, most commonly the recipient, we use an intussusception technique by placing a transition stitch from the outside of the smaller bronchus into the inside of the larger bronchus. The orientation of the anatomy is preserved with membranous-to-membranous and cartilagenous-to-cartilagenous apposition with approximately a one-ring intussusception. We interrogate each anastomosis after completion. The bronchial anastomosis is evaluated for an air leak under water while the anesthesiologist manually inflates the donor lung with room air. Historically, buttressing of the anastomosis with peribronchial tissue or pericardium was considered important; we have found this not to be necessary in the last 400 lung transplants.

We perform the pulmonary artery (PA) anastomosis next. The recipient PA is occluded proximally with a Satinsky vascular clamp, and the staple line is trimmed away proximal to the trunk raphe. The donor PA is similarly trimmed to an appropriate length. Care must be taken not to leave the donor or recipient PA too long to avoid kinking after the anastomosis is made. The recipient PA and the donor PA are aligned in preparation for the anastomosis, which is begun in one corner with a 6-0 Prolene in a running fashion. On the left side, identifying the anterior and apical lobar branches of the donor facilitates proper alignment. Assessment of the PA anastomosis is done by placing a second vascular clamp (eg, Harken II) distal to the anastomosis and subsequently removing the previously placed Satinsky clamp from the recipient PA.

The left atrial anastomosis is aided by the previous mobilization of the left atrium by dividing the attachments between the roof of the left atrium and the PA and by fully mobilizing the left atrium from the pericardium. Placement of the left atrial clamp is assisted by retracting the stapled superior and inferior pulmonary vein stumps laterally with Pennington clamps. A large Satinsky vascular clamp is placed on the body of the left atrium. The staple lines are excised and the orifices of the superior pulmonary vein and inferior pulmonary vein are connected, creating a large, recipient left atrial cuff. By placing a Pennington clamp on the anterior portion of the atrial cuff and retracting superiorly and medially, exposure is greatly improved, particularly on the left side. Exposure for the left-sided anastomosis often requires substantial retraction of the heart. This can be facilitated by retraction of the previously placed pericardial stitch and by manual retraction. During this period, placement of the patient into Trendelenburg position and bolus administration of inotropic agents may be necessary. Occasionally, widely opening the pericardium to allow the heart to herniate anteriorly and to the right may be necessary to provide exposure and suitable hemodynamics. Rarely, the use of cardiopulmonary bypass is appropriate to facilitate the exposure and anastomosis. This is particularly warranted if the donor left atrium begins to tear or adequate exposure of the atrial intima cannot be achieved circumferentially. An endothelial-to-endothelial anastomosis is created using a running suture of 5-0 Prolene with a concerted effort to include the intimal layer and exclude the muscular tissue. Once the posterior portion of the anastomosis is completed, intravenous bolus of methylprednisolone (500 mg) and mannitol (25 g) are given.

The anterior portion of the anastomosis continues with a running suture, leaving the last few throws of the 5-0 Prolene suture loose. De-airing of the graft is accomplished by partially releasing the vascular clamp on the PA and then fully removing the Satinsky clamp on the recipient left atrium to force out any residual air before tying the 5-0 Prolene. Assessment for residual air is obtained using TEE. Occasionally, aortic venting through an 18-gauge needle is necessary. Reperfusion is carefully controlled to minimize the risk of PDG. Controlled, low-pressure perfusion of the lung is achieved by gradually releasing the PA clamp over 10 to 15 minutes. Ventilation with room air is initiated by hand and then by mechanical ventilation. Pressure control mode of ventilation is preferred with 5 to 8 cm of positive end-expiratory pressure, distending pressure of 16 to 22 cm, and minimal F_iO₂—preferably less than 30%. During this reperfusion period, hemostasis of the donor lung tissue is achieved and the anterior 28-French pleural chest tube is placed. At the time of full release of the pulmonary artery clamp, the pulmonary artery pressures should be normal. We use nitric oxide and loop diuretics liberally to assist in normalizing the pulmonary artery pressures and facilitating a low F_iO₂ environment.

In patients undergoing double-lung transplants without CPB, once appropriate hemodynamics and oxygenation are confirmed after reperfusion of the first transplanted lung, the remaining native lung is removed. Implantation proceeds in a similar fashion as the first lung. The performance of bilateral dissection and mobilization initially greatly reduces the duration in which the entire systemic blood flow passes through only one transplanted lung, which also appears to minimize the development of PGD.

When CPB is utilized, we perform both pneumonectomies and place the postero-lateral thoracotomy closure sutures and pleural drains lungs first. Both lungs are implanted before reperfusion. The first lung that is implanted is packed in ice slush during implantation of the second lung. Methylprednisolone (1 g) and mannitol (50 g) are administrated before reperfusion. While the lungs are ventilated with room air, gradual reperfusion is initiated starting at 5 to 10 mm Hg mean PA pressure and increasing by 5 mm Hg every 5 minutes until normal systemic pressures are achieved. Reperfusion of the lungs with oxygenated, hypocarbic blood may be especially advantageous to maximize pulmonary vascular recruitment and parenchymal recovery.

The antero-medial aspect of the clamshell opening is approximated with three sets of no. 5 wires with one simple set in the midline of the sternum and a figure-of-eight through the sternum and with the lateral aspect placed lateral to the mammary pedicle around the fourth and fifth ribs. The remainder of the clamshell opening is reapproximated with a series of no. 1 Maxon sutures in a figure-of-eight fashion. Because the posterolateral sutures have already been placed, these sutures are anterior to the transplanted lung and are easily placed without requiring retraction or deflation of the lung. A 19-French soft drain is placed into each of the axillary spaces and under the breast flaps in women. The pectoral fascial layer, the subcutaneous layer, the subdermal layer, and the skin are then approximated.

Following a single-lung transplant, closure of the posterolateral thoracotomy is conventional with large-bore chest tubes placed in the anterior and posterior pleural space.

Chest tubes are placed to suction except in circumstances in which the recipient pleural space is substantially larger than the donor lung size. In these situations, chest tubes are left to water seal to prevent over-distension of the lung allograft, stretch injury, and severe pulmonary graft dysfunction. This situation can be identified by marked differences in tidal volumes between when the pleural tubes are on or off suction.

After dressings are applied, the double lumen endotracheal tube is removed and a large single lumen endotracheal tube is placed. Fiber optic bronchoscopy is performed to (1) assess the adequacy of the anastomosis; (2) clear secretions; (3) assess for the development of PGD as manifested by severe pulmonary edema; and (4) evaluate for torsion or malrotation of the allograft manifest by abnormal, crescent-shaped distal airways.