# Redo Lung Transplantation After Heart-lung Transplantation

## TL;DR

A woman successfully had her lungs transplanted again after a previous heart-lung transplant, using a new surgical approach.

## Contribution

A novel surgical technique for redo lung transplantation after heart-lung transplant is described.

## Key findings

- Redo lung transplantation was performed without sternal division or extracorporeal support.
- The patient recovered well with complete healing of the airway anastomosis.
- The technique avoids potential complications of redo procedures after heart-lung transplants.

## Abstract

We describe the case of a 36-year-old woman who underwent redo lung transplantation AFTER a heart-lung transplant 3.5 years prior. The retransplantation was performed through sequential left posterolateral thoracotomy followed by right anterior thoracotomy, without sternal division and without the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or cardiopulmonary bypass support. The patient was found to have undergone an extensive pericardiectomy at the time of the initial heart-lung transplant. The patient recovered uneventfully and complete healing of the airway anastomosis was demonstrated. This novel technique avoids some potential pitfalls of redo lung transplantation after heart-lung transplant.