A TECHNIQUE TO SIMPLIFY AND IMPROVE EXPOSURE IN HEART-LUNG TRANSPLANTATION

Heart-lung transplantation is associated with high perioperative morta lity rates. A modified operative technique was used by one surgeon ope rating on 17 patients at the University of Arizona, Tucson, and the In land Northwest Thoracic Organ Transplant Program, Spokane, Washington. This technique gives greater exposure to the area of dissection behin d the heart-lung block after implantation and makes maintaining hemost asis easier, No deaths from bleeding complications occurred and no reo perations for bleeding were required with this technique, The Kaplan-M eier survival was 82% at 1 year, This technique simplifies a difficult technical procedure and may reduce mortality rate.