Anesthesia for Pediatric Lung Transplantation: Case Presentation and Review of the Literature

Pediatric lung transplantation is a relatively rare procedure offered to infants, children, and adolescents with end-stage lung disease. Compared to adult lung transplantation, the pre-operative condition of the patients, indications for transplantation, and the conduct of the surgery itself can be quite different. Through this case presentation of a 2-month-old undergoing bilateral lung transplantation, we discuss the unique anesthetic considerations in the management of the pediatric patient, and review the data on the recent era of pediatric lung transplantation. Other concerns relevant to the anesthesiologist such as the disease states leading to transplantation, the ages at which patients most commonly present, and causes of post-operative morbidity and mortality are also presented.