A 65-year-old woman from Faridabad has reached the one-year milestone following a bilateral lung transplant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi.
She is the first patient from a private hospital in Delhi to achieve this after undergoing the complex procedure.
The patient had been diagnosed with end-stage Interstitial Lung Disease caused by scleroderma and was critically ill before surgery, requiring continuous oxygen support of four to five litres per minute. Severe lung damage from the autoimmune disorder made even basic activities and conversations extremely difficult.
Despite medical treatment, her respiratory failure had advanced. The transplant was made possible after a 48-year-old patient in Noida was declared brain-dead. His family consented to organ donation, allowing the surgical team at Apollo Hospital to perform a seven-hour bilateral lung transplant. The patient was supported on ECMO to maintain oxygen levels during the operation.
After surgery, the patient required ventilatory support, a tracheostomy, and over 15 bronchoscopies before her breathing stabilised. Gradually, all external supports were removed, and she was transitioned to oral medication and structured rehabilitation.
Dr Mukesh Goel, Senior Consultant in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said the case signifies a shift in access to advanced transplant care in Delhi and the National Capital Region. “This case changes what patients in Delhi, and the wider NCR region can expect. For years, a lung transplant meant travelling to Chennai or Hyderabad. With NOTTO now recognising Apollo Delhi for lung allocation, that is no longer the case. Our focus is on building a programme that consistently delivers long-term survival. This one-year milestone is where that journey begins,” he explained.
Dr Avdhesh Bansal, Senior Consultant in Respiratory Medicine, described the achievement as particularly significant given the procedure's complexity. “Lung transplant is the most complex procedure as compared to any other transplant. Completing one year after a bilateral lung transplant is a significant milestone, especially in a case as complex as this. When the patient first came to us, her lungs were failing rapidly, and she required continuous oxygen support. Today, seeing her leading a healthier life is incredibly encouraging. This milestone reflects not just the success of the transplant, but also the role of sustained rehabilitation and multidisciplinary care in helping patients recover and regain quality of life,” he said.
The patient characterised her recovery as life-changing, recalling her condition prior to the surgery. “Before the transplant, I was completely dependent on oxygen 24 hours a day. Even simple daily activities like taking a bath, changing clothes, or going into the kitchen had become extremely difficult. Today, I can do all these things independently and no longer require oxygen support.” She added, “I feel more energetic and full of life. The journey after the transplant was also not easy. I had to take medicines regularly and undergo frequent medical and blood check-ups. Maintaining proper nutrition was also important. But now things have become much easier. I am slowly getting back to normal life and can step out while following precautions like wearing a mask and avoiding crowded places.”
Lung transplantation is among the most complex procedures in medicine, with the first year post-surgery being critical. The shortage of viable donor lungs presents an additional challenge, as only 15 to 20 per cent of lungs are suitable for transplant, while 25 to 30 per cent of patients on waiting lists do not survive long enough to receive an organ.
In high-risk cases involving advanced lung disease and autoimmune complications, the achievement of a healthy one-year outcome reflects precise coordination of surgery, organ allocation, and long-term rehabilitation.