Amritsar, 17 June 2026: As the burden of advanced lung diseases continues to rise, lung transplantation is emerging as a life-saving option for patients suffering from irreversible respiratory conditions who have exhausted all other treatment options. Once considered a highly specialised procedure that was available only in select centres globally, Gurugram-based Medanta– The Medicity -- ranked India’s best hospital by Newsweek in 2026 -- has played a pioneering role in advancing lung transplantation in our country. 

The hospital was the first to establish a lung transplant programme in North India and today reports a success rate of over 90%, offering comprehensive care for patients with end-stage lung diseases such as very severe Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary arterial hypertension through a vastly experienced multidisciplinary team.

Dr. Vivek Singh, Director, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine at Medanta Gurugram said, “A lung transplant should be considered when lung function declines to a stage where quality of life is severely compromised and life expectancy is limited without intervention. With timely referral, careful patient selection and comprehensive post-transplant care, lung transplantation can restore mobility, independence and significantly improve survival. At Medanta, we have built an integrated ecosystem comprising transplant surgeons, pulmonologists, intensivists and rehabilitation specialists to deliver outcomes comparable to the best centres globally.”

He was speaking at a program in Amritsar, organized by Medanta in association with the Critical Care Society, Amritsar. Like all major transplants, lung transplantation carries certain risks, including organ rejection, infections due to long-term immunosuppressive therapy, blood clots and other post-operative complications. Dr. Singh said, “However, advances in surgical techniques, critical care and post-transplant monitoring have led to a steady improvement in outcomes over the past decade.”

Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri, Senior Consultant, Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco-Surgery & Lung Transplant at Medanta Gurugram, highlighted advanced surgical interventions for lung, esophageal and mediastinal diseases, including advanced techniques such as Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) -- a minimally invasive technique that uses small incisions and specialised cameras to perform complex chest procedures -- as well as robotic-assisted thoracic surgery, which combines high-definition 3D visualisation with enhanced precision and dexterity.

Medanta is a pioneer in both these techniques, which result in reduced pain, lower complication rates and faster recovery for the patient. Dr. Puri said, “The biggest shift in thoracic surgery today is the ability to diagnose and treat complex chest diseases at an earlier stage and with far less disruption to patients' lives. Whether it is lung cancer, advanced empyema, airway disorders, chest wall tumours or mediastinal diseases, modern surgical approaches have dramatically reduced recovery times while improving clinical outcomes. At Medanta, our multidisciplinary approach ensures that every patient benefits from personalised treatment planning, access to advanced surgical technology and comprehensive post-operative care.”

With its pioneering lung transplant program, advanced minimally invasive surgical capabilities and commitment to innovation, Medanta continues to set new benchmarks in thoracic and transplant care, helping patients breathe easier and live fuller lives.