In 1963, James Hardy and associates1 of Jackson, Miss, published their report of the first human single lung transplant. Twenty years elapsed before the first long-term success with single lung transplantation was realized. In November 1983, a 58-year-old man with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis received a right lung transplant,2 and this patient has remained well. Since this first case, the Toronto (Canada) Lung Transplant Group has accumulated significant experience and achieved considerable success with both single and double lung transplantation in humans with end-stage lung disease. This presentation summarizes our effort and represents the work of a large number of individuals participating in a well-coordinated, multidisciplinary program. Joel D. Cooper, MD, has played a key role in the development and coordination of the present Toronto Lung Transplant Group.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Using a canine model, Metras3 in France and Hardin and Kittle4 in the United States demonstrated the