Pune: A 30-year-old serving Indian Army soldier successfully underwent a bilateral lung transplant at a private hospital in the city after he was diagnosed with Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (PLCH) — a rare and progressive lung disease predominantly affecting young adult males.The disease causes immune cells, known as langerhans cells, to infiltrate the lungs. It leads to scarring, inflammation and respiratory failure.After undergoing the transplant, the soldier has completely recovered and is expected to get back to his posting in J&K in the next six months.The officer had been suffering from progressive breathlessness for over two years, and due to his worsening condition, he was referred by the cardiothoracic centre of Command Hospital, Pune, for a lung transplant. The patient was officially registered for a transplant on March 20, 2025. On April 14, the soldier underwent the transplant at DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, after the organ was transported with the help of five teams of Maharashtra police via a green corridor. Theorgans were transported in under two hours from Dombivali while preserving their viability for transplant. The donor, a 28-year-old male from Dombivali, had lost his life in an accident.The surgery was carried out at the hospital by transplant surgeon Dr Sandeep Attawar and his team. Dr Rahul Kendre managed the post-operative care as the lung transplant physician.“The transplant surgery performed in mid-April lasted 12 hours and was executed successfully. The officer showed remarkable recovery and was off oxygen support within a week. In two weeks, he was discharged from the hospital and was fully independent of any physical support.It was a challenging yet gratifying surgery,” Attawar said.“PLCH is a rare condition, and to see such a swift and successful recovery is a testament to the combined efforts of medical, administrative and police teams,” he added.“During his last follow-up in the last week of May, the patient had completely recovered, and there was no rejection or any reaction to the transplant. In the next six months, the soldier should be able to resume duties at higher altitudes. We could act in time and give our national hero a new lease on life with the support of the central govt and hospital management,” Kendre said.Dr Yashraj Patil, trustee and treasurer at Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, said, “This successful transplant is not just a medical milestone, it is a tribute to the spirit of our soldiers and the dedication of our healthcare team.”
