TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital said that it has completed six lung transplant surgeries since 2021, with five patients discharged after the procedure.

The hospital held a press conference to share the results. Two individuals who had undergone transplants attended the event, including the hospital's first recipient, a 67-year-old woman surnamed Chang Chien (張簡).

Lo Chien-ming (羅乾鳴), a cardiovascular surgeon at the hospital, said that lung transplantation is the most effective treatment for people with severe lung disease. The procedure is highly challenging because both lungs must be transplanted simultaneously, per CNA. He added that during the transfer from the donor to the recipient, lung function can deteriorate to some extent.

Lo shared the case of Chang Chien, who developed severe pulmonary fibrosis — a condition in which scar tissue builds up in the lungs — after eating a vegetable marketed as a weight-loss aid. She often experienced unexplained shortness of breath and had to rely on a ventilator before the transplant.

Another transplant case involved a 40-year-old woman surnamed Chang (張), who sought medical attention at the hospital due to severe shortness of breath, Lo said. She was later diagnosed with lymphangioleiomyomatosis, an extremely rare lung disease. Before undergoing the transplant, her blood oxygen level had dropped below the standard, and she had to rely on a ventilator to stay alive.

Lin Meng-chih (林孟志), the hospital’s deputy superintendent, said the rare disease occurs only in women, typically those in their 20s to 30s, with around 50 known cases in Taiwan. The condition often causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, collapsed lungs, and coughing up blood. It can only be managed with medication and the use of a ventilator.

The hospital added that it will strengthen surgical techniques and post-operative care through collaboration with the Linkou and Taipei Chang Gung teams. It also plans to establish a lung transplant center in the south.