Egypt’s 1st patient to undergo lung transplant announced dead

CAIRO – 6 January 2023: Egypt’s first patient who underwent a lung transplant from a living donor was announced dead, Friday, according to Ain Shams University.

The surgery that was performed to the 28-year-old patient, Sahar last December was relatively successful, as the patient survived for three weeks in which she witnessed a development in her health conditions.

However, a sudden deterioration occurred to the patient. This deterioration reported to occur in such cases by 30 percent; which led to her [Sahar] being put back on a ventilator.

The medical staff conducted a number of medical examinations, which showed that the patient's body rejected the transplanted lung violently, despite receiving the best treatments available, according to Ain Shams University statement.

The University and its affiliated hospitals expressed all appreciation and respect to Sahar's family and the donors.

The University also announced that it will continue with ‘determination and patience’ in the lung transplantation program to meet the needs of patients.

On December 22, Ain Shams University announced the success of the first lung transplant from a living donor, describing it as a ‘new medical breakthrough in the field of organ transplantation’.

President of Ain Shams University, Dr. Mahmoud El-Meteini, said that the case of the 28-year-old patient, was suffering from severe pulmonary fibrosis and a severe increase in pulmonary artery pressure, her complete dependence on home oxygen. The lung transplant operation took about 14 hours.

Transplantation in Egypt began for the first time in 1978 with kidney transplants. It was followed 20 years later by the first liver transplant in 2001.