OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of single lung transplantation with concomitant contralateral lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for the management of end-stage emphysema.

METHODSA 46 year-old patient with end-stage emphysema received right lung transplantation and LVRS through the bilateral anterior-lateral intercostal incisions simultaneously.

RESULTSHyperinflation of the native lung or mediastinal shift did not occur after the operation, and the transplanted right lung dilated well without suppression. Acute rejection was not observed and the patient weaned from tracheal intubation 60 h after operation and from ventilator 108 h postoperatively. Persistent air leak occurred after LVRS but closed after instillation of hyperosmotic glucose. The patient was discharged 45 days after operation with significantly improved pulmonary function and normal life.

CONCLUSIONSingle lung transplantation with concomitant contralateral lung volume reduction for emphysema eliminates such complications of single lung transplantation as native lung hyperinflation, mediastinal shift, excessive suppression of the transplanted lung and hemodynamics instability, and can improve the success rate of the operation.