How Successful Is Lung Transplant Surgery? Survival Rates Explained

By Abhishek Kumar June 2, 2026

Lung transplant is a surgical procedure that is performed to replace one or both damaged or deceased lungs with lungs taken from a donor, a deceased person who was a registered organ donor. You may need a lung transplant if you have been diagnosed with end-stage lung disease and need to save your life. End-stage lung diseases mean the disease is very severe, and no other treatment is working, and cannot be helped. If you are someone with end-stage lung disease, consult Dr Arvind Kumar, a lung transplant specialist in Delhi with more than 40 years of experience.

Lung Transplant – An Overview

Lung transplant is a serious condition and is characterised by issues in the most basic body function, i.e., breathing. Individuals with lung disease experience many symptoms, such as chronic cough, shortness of breath and exhaustion. Lung transplantation is for people who are struggling with severe lung conditions like:

Emphysema
Cystic fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sarcoidosis
Pulmonary hypertension
Heart disease
Inherited congenital disease
Other diseases like histiocytosis

The organ transplant is recommended by the chest and thoracic surgeon when other treatment options fail. Also, in some people, heart birth defects cause advanced lung disease, and these will need the repair of these defects at the time of transplantation of the lungs.

Signs That You Need Lung Transplantation

A lung transplant is the last option for people who are struggling with end-stage lung disease or damaged lungs and who cannot be treated with the help of other treatment options. Signs that you might need a lung transplant are:

Signs of rejection include fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, and decreased lung function.
Persistent cough
Wheezing
Chest discomfort
Chest pain
Frequent respiratory infection
Changes in mucus production
Swelling in the feet, ankles, or legs

Eligibility Criteria for Lung Transplantation

People need to meet the eligibility criteria to qualify for the lung transplant surgery. They have to:

Be physically 60 or less for a double lung transplant surgery, and 65 years or less for a single lung transplant surgery.
Have been tired of other treatment options and getting no benefits.
Be physically fit despite struggling with lung disease, like having controlled diabetes and BP.
Not have any severe disease in other organs.

However, there is no specific age criterion for the lung transplant, as patients over 70 may face more selective age criteria. Patients should not have any substance use — no smoking, alcohol, or vaping for about six months if considering a lung transplant.

The need for a strong support network is also crucial for transplant success. This support will help and guide the challenges of post-transplant life, like medication and follow-up care.

Evaluation Procedure for a Lung Transplant That You Need to Qualify For

Lung transplant evaluation is a crucial step and involves many tests that help to assess the overall health of the patient, along with their suitability for the procedure. The evaluation procedure involves:

The procedure starts with a consultation with the transplant specialist, who reviews the records and discusses the overall health. This consultation is to ensure what a lung transplant is and how it will benefit you, and what you can expect. Also, this will confirm your eligibility for the transplant, and after that, more tests for evaluation are recommended. Various medical tests are recommended:

Heart health tests like cardiac catheterisation and echocardiogram.
Blood tests, including infectious status, organ function and immunisations.
Vascular assessment of the neck.
Imaging studies, including CT scan of the chest, head and abdomen.
Pulmonary function tests.
Exercise capacity tests.
Swallowing assessment test.

All these evaluation steps take about six months, and if patients are getting sick during this time, then the evaluation will be finished within one week.

Meeting with the support specialists — as the team forecasts the life of patients, there will be proper teamwork to ensure that you have all the resources and support that you may need. The team will include:

Financial coordinator to get a review on medical coverage or finances.
A nutritionist to understand the diet changes and to get support for your health before and after the transplant.
Pharmacists to get an explanation of the medications that you will take post-transplant.
Social Worker to review your personal background, mental health and support to ensure that you get help during the recovery phase.
The rehabilitation team will be there to help you post-transplant and explain what to expect during the recovery phase.

Results of the Tests

After all the testing is done, your meeting with the entire team will be done to review your evaluation and consider the option for you.

If the result is approved, then you will be taking a place on the lung transplant waitlist.
The team will not approve your eligibility for the lung transplant.
If the results show you are not eligible at this time, that means your lungs are too healthy for the lung transplant at this moment, so the specialist will continue to monitor your condition. You might become eligible in the future for the transplant.

What If a Lung Transplant Is Not an Option?

If a transplant is not the option, or if you prefer, the pulmonologist will find another treatment option. Because transplantation is not the only solution for everyone, it is also vital to know that the assessment procedures do not guarantee that you will go for the lung transplant for sure. Sometimes the assessment may reveal that you are not suitable for the organ transplant. If this happens, then the team of experts will work with you for evaluation and come up with a discussion about other solutions and will help you to take care of your health.

If You Are Eligible for the Lung Transplant, What’s Next?

If you are a successful candidate for the lung transplant, then your name will come under the waitlist. It is vital to maintain your health during this period, and this will help to maximise the current condition and for the future, as well as increase the chances of success of the transplant. It may take about two years — until then, you may receive a call. Sometimes it may also take longer than this for a double lung transplant. This waiting time seems to be stressful, but you have to be patient, and it is also important to talk with the specialist on how to cope and talk to your loved ones.

How Are Organs Matched to Patients?

Many medical factors are taken into consideration to match the organ with patients whose names are on the waiting list:

The blood type
Severity of the condition
The body size of the patient
The number of donors available
How urgently the patient needs the transplant
Age
Predicted survival benefit

Cost of a Lung Transplant in India

The cost of a lung transplant varies from patient to patient. The following factors influence the cost:

Type of transplant
Organ recovery
Hospital infrastructure and technology
Doctor fees
Stay in the hospital
Any other health complications
Recovery & rehabilitation
Post-transplant medications

The cost of a lung transplant in India ranges from INR 22,50,000 to INR 36,00,000 and depends upon many factors. If you seek an affordable lung transplant in Delhi, consult Dr Arvind Kumar today to get the for you.

Expected Outcome for Lung Transplant

A lung transplant in Delhi effectively improves the quality of life. Many patients experience noticeable long-term improvements, often extending their lifespan by ten years or more. This result is remarkably achievable when the procedure is performed by one of the surgeons in Delhi, Dr Arvind Kumar. If you seek the full range of services needed for various lung transplants, including those from living as well as deceased donors, and specialised procedures. Lifespan post-lung transplant varies, but many recipients lead active lives for many years. The median lifespan post-lung transplant is about six years. The success of the lung transplant surgery depends on factors like overall health, adherence to medications, and the prevention of complications.

Why Choose Dr Arvind Kumar for a Lung Transplant?

For individuals suffering from lung failure, a lung transplant is the life-saving procedure that works by removing diseased lungs and placing them with donor-derived healthy lungs. The transplant is carried out by the surgeon in Delhi, Dr Arvind Kumar, using the deceased or living donor’s lungs. Some people may need a single lung transplant, and others may need a double lung transplant. Lung transplant is a major decision that has to be made considering many factors, even if it can extend a patient’s life and improve their quality of life. Dr Arvind Kumar is among the surgeons in Delhi with more than 40 years of experience, who is mostly preferred for offering state-of-the-art surgical care for many chest conditions. He has expertise in robotic and minimally invasive techniques, ensuring precision and the results. View his awards and achievements to understand why patients across India and abroad trust him.