Lung Transplant in India

A lung transplant replaces one or both lungs that have stopped working well enough to sustain life, usually due to advanced COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or cystic fibrosis. It is reserved for patients who have exhausted medication, oxygen therapy, and other treatment options, and who are otherwise fit enough to withstand major surgery and a demanding recovery.

Procedures Available

A single lung transplant replaces one lung, while a double lung transplant, more common for conditions like COPD and cystic fibrosis, replaces both. Most lung transplants in India use lungs from a deceased donor, matched by blood type, size, and urgency. Confirm directly with the hospital whether international patients can register for a deceased donor transplant through their programme, since eligibility rules vary by centre.

Cost

The estimate covers pre-transplant evaluation, the surgery, extended ICU time, and hospital recovery. A double lung transplant runs toward the higher end of the range given the longer surgery and more intensive post-operative monitoring it requires compared to a single lung transplant.

How Long the Trip Takes

As with heart transplant, the timeline depends on how quickly a matching donor becomes available once the patient is listed, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. After surgery, expect 3 to 4 weeks in hospital, moving from ICU to a standard ward, followed by several more weeks of local monitoring before travel clearance.

Choosing a Hospital

Look for a centre with a dedicated, high-volume lung transplant programme and its own respiratory ICU, since post-transplant lung function needs close monitoring in the early weeks. Ask specifically about the hospital's international patient transplant registration process before travelling, as this differs from how heart and kidney transplants are handled.