Lung retransplantation after initial single lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND

Following single lung transplantation, there are three retransplantation options: contralateral single lung retransplantation (CLSLRT), ipsilateral single lung retransplantation (ILSLRT), and double lung retransplantation (DLRT). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of recipient lung pathology and retransplant type on survival outcomes.

METHODS

Patients undergoing lung retransplantation after initial single lung transplantation were identified using the UNOS database, May 2005-December 2022. Patients were grouped by primary diagnosis at initial lung transplantation into obstructive lung disease (OLD), pulmonary vascular disease, cystic fibrosis, or restrictive lung disease (RLD).

RESULTS

Of the 418 prior single lung transplant recipients, 38.8% (162/418) underwent initial single lung transplant for OLD, and 58.3% (244/418) for RLD. Among those with OLD, 67.3% (109/162) underwent CLSLRT and 24.1% (39/162) underwent DLRT. OS was similar at 5 years (CLSLRT 47.5% [95%CI 38.7-58.3%]; DLRT 48.0% [95%CI 34.1-67.6%]; Log-rank test, n=148, p=0.77). Among those with RLD, retransplants were as follows: 13.1% (32/244) ILSLRT, 52.9% (129/244) CLSLRT, 34.0% (83/244) DLRT, and the five-year OS was not significantly different between type of retransplantation (ILSLRT 22.1% [95%CI 12.1-40.4%]; CLSLRT 38.8% [95%CI 32.8-45.8%]; DLRT 37.7% [95%CI 29.5-48.2%]; Log-rank test, n=244, p=0.46). In a subgroup analysis of patients with RLD and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, 5-year OS was 36.5% (95%CI 22.7-58.9%) with CLSLRT and 48.2% (95%CI 30.4-76.7%) with DLRT (Log-rank test, n=62, p=0.26).

CONCLUSIONS

Survival outcomes following lung retransplantation after single lung transplant did not differ significantly by retransplant type. These findings suggest that retransplant strategy should be individualized, considering technical feasibility and recipient factors.