The first and second lung transplants were performed
successfully on August 24th and August 26th by the team at
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center's Lung Transplant Program,
the only program in New Jersey.
The first, a double lung transplant recipient and patient of Monroe
Karetzky,MD, pulmonologist, is a 49-year-old man from Irvington,
New Jersey, who had sarcoidosis disease.The patient had been
hospitalized at Newark Beth Israel for nearly two weeks and his
condition was declining.The donor was identified on Saturday
evening and an official match was confirmed on Sunday morning.
Lawrence R.McBride,MD, Surgical Director of Lung Transplant,
harvested the lungs. Simultaneously, Ravi Karanam,MD,
cardiothoracic surgeon, began the lung surgery at Newark Beth
Israel; when Dr.McBride returned with the organs, he was assisted
by Dr. Karanam in completing the lung transplant.
Two days later, a single lung transplant was performed on a
54-year-old man from Toms River diagnosed with emphysema in
association with A-1 A-T enzyme deficiency who was referred from
Monmouth Medical Center.Dr.McBride harvested the organs from
a donor and returned to The Beth by helicopter.Nazly Shariati,
MD,Director of Thoracic Surgery, had begun the lung surgery at
Newark Beth Israel and assisted Dr.McBride when he returned.
Simultaneously in other NBI operating rooms, the heart transplant
team was performing its 497th and 498th heart transplants.The
hearts were procured from the same individuals who donated the
lungs. Margarita Camacho,MD, Surgical Director of Cardiac
Transplantation and Assist Devices, performed both heart
transplants.
All of the transplant recipients continue to do well.
September 19, 2008
