Woman survived six days without lungs. The first such operation in the world

The unprecedented operation by Canadian doctors. A 33-year-old cystic fibrosis patient lived for six days without lungs while waiting for a transplant. At the time she was connected to a lung-heart machine. The risky procedure was successful and is the first such case in the world.

Melissa Benoit’s case will go down in medical history. The 33-year-old was seriously ill. Antibiotics and devices to keep failing lungs working did not work. She was sick with cystic fibrosis and came down with severe flu. Doctors have ruled that the woman will not live to see the transplant. After consulting with her husband, as the woman’s condition did not allow her to make a decision, doctors cut out both lungs for the 33-year-old. She lived for six days without lungs while waiting for a donor.

The lung excision operation itself was not easy and lasted nine hours. Melissa Benoit lived without the vital organ for six days. During this time, she was in a pharmacological coma, and the functions of her lungs were taken over by a machine thatóra oxygenated the patient’s blood. A 33-year-old woman successfully underwent a transplant. She is currently enjoying good health.

– I couldn’t believe it. I was on the verge of death, but managed to wrócial to life. I am very grateful and happy to be home already, with my family – said Melissa Benoit while thanking the doctors for saving her life.

Until now, no doctor has dared to perform such a procedure. Doctors at the St. The doctors at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto have paved the way and shown that such an operation can be successful.