Clarian Performs First Lung, Pancreas Transplant in Nation

October 2006

8/25/2006 10:59:28 AM

The Clarian Transplant Center in Indianapolis has performed the first simultaneous lung and pancreas transplant in the nation.

The 12 hour operation, which required two teams of surgeons, was performed on a patient from Fort Wayne, who is recovering at Methodist Hospital.

Source: Inside Indiana Business

Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN --The Clarian Transplant Center has performed the first simultaneous lung and pancreas transplant in the nation. The patient, Jose Garcia, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is recovering nicely at Methodist Hospital after the trailblazing surgery.

Garcia was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, as a result of the disease he was in need of a lung transplant. A side effect to the cystic fibrosis caused Garcia to suffer from pancreatic insufficiency, also known as cystic fibrosis diabetes.

The 12-hour procedure required two teams of abdominal and cardiothoracic surgeons. Thomas Wozniak, MD, surgical director of cardiothoracic surgery at The Clarian Transplant Center, performed the lung transplant. Next, Jonathan Fridell, MD, director of pancreatic transplantation at Indiana University Hospital and assistant professor of surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine, performed the pancreas transplant.

“The surgery was successful and the patient is doing excellent,” said Dr. Fridell. “This was a total team effort from beginning to end that required the very best specialists from a variety of areas to be this successful,” added Dr. Wozniak.

The 25-year old Garcia is expected to make a full recovery, and according to doctors, as a result of the pancreas transplant, he will now be free of diabetes.

Source: Clarian Health Partners