top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

France performs its first lung transplant for Covid patient

A patient with severe respiratory problems linked to Covid has become the first to receive a double lung transplant

A patient in France with severe respiratory problems linked to the Covid-19 virus has received a lung transplant, a medical first for the country.

The transplant took place on November 1 at the Foch hospital in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine in Ile-de-France.

The patient had initially been admitted to the intensive care service at the Lille CHU hospital, under the care of Professor Sébastien Préau.

But the patient then went on to develop a severe form of the virus, causing major respiratory distress due to “the near-total destruction of both lungs”, the Foch hospital said in a statement.

Despite optimum care over several weeks in Lille, the patient showed no signs of improvement, making the lung transplant necessary.

Professor Edouard Sage, head of the lung transplant programme at the Foch hospital, said: “The decision to go for this major, rare operation was not simple, and was also due to a number of results from complementary examinations.

“These were intended to discern potential contra-indications that could have caused this major operation to fail.”

The operation went very well, but Professor Sage said: “We must still stay alert, because the recovery of a lung transplant patient is often long and sometimes difficult.”

France is not the only country to perform a double lung transplant on a Covid patient.

Doctors in China undertook the procedure in March, for a woman in her 60s, whilst the same procedure was done in the US in June, at the Northwestern hospital in Chicago. The US patient was in her 20s, and had been in good health before contracting the virus, which “irreversibly” destroyed her lungs, doctors said. Her operation took 10 hours.

Related stories

France Covid update: Minister sees ‘difficult’ weeks ahead

Top doctors: ‘France must not repeat errors of first wave’

French group demands minister ‘explain origins of Covid’

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France