Single lung transplantation in primates. Modified Stanford heart-lung transplantation technique.

Unilateral (left) lung allotransplantation was performed on six monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E-1 into the donor and cooling of the graft by perfusing the pulmonary artery with modified Euro-Collins solution were used for lung preservation. All six primates survived the operation, with good graft function, and were extubated after 4-6 hours. Mild pulmonary densities were found in all of them 3 days postoperatively. Two monkeys died, after 7 and 16 days, due to allograft failure. Autopsy in both cases showed bronchial stenosis, despite omental wrapping around the anastomosis. No other technical problems arose in the early postoperative course. It is concluded that prostaglandin E-1 pretreatment of the donor and single crystalloid flush of the donor lung improves the function of a single lung graft as well as that of a heart-lung transplant.