Pediatric Lung Transplantation

Abstract

Pediatric lung transplantation represents a small subset of the field of lung transplantation despite significant clinical activity in the field for almost 20 years. The generic clinical indications for lung transplantation are similar to those for adults but the disease entities, with the exception of cystic fibrosis, are distinct. The operative approach to lung transplantation almost always involves bilateral lung transplantation and cardiopulmonary bypass. Posttransplant complications include graft rejection and graft infection. Bronchiolitis obliterans remains the single greatest obstacle to long-term survival. There is need for ongoing quality improvement as well as breakthroughs in immunomodulation and immunosuppression for the enhanced survival of pediatric lung transplant recipients.