Lungs are the "youngest" of the major organ transplants, but surgical and organ preservation advances have led to their rapid growth in numbers of procedures. UAB is now the second biggest lung transplant center in the South, averaging almost 30 operations per year. "People with many types of obstructive pulmonary disease are potential lung transplant recipients. Many who were debilitated with emphysema and cystic fibrosis and other diseases now have extremely good outcomes in terms of ease of breathing and other quality of life issues," says surgeon David McGiffin, M.D.
UAB's lung transplant program is celebrating its 10th year.
April 16-22 is National Organ and Tissue Awareness Week.
Contact Hank Black, Media Relations, 205-934-8938 or [email protected].
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