Recovery of function of the reimplanted lung

In association with reimplantation of the lung of the dog by established techniques, serial determinations of oxygen uptake (bronchospirometry), cardiac output and blood flow to each lung (Fick method), and blood pressure were done preoperatively and postoperatively for 10 to 12 weeks. Ultimately pulmonary artery ligation was performed to demonstrate that animals could survive on the reimplanted lung. In animals free of postoperative complications, oxygen uptake and blood flow returned to normal in 5 to 6 weeks in 4 animals; delay of functional return until 10 to 12 weeks postoperatively occurred in 5. In one-third of the reimplanted lungs, stenosis or occlusion of the bronchial anastomosis prevented evaluation of function.