Bilateral Lung Transplantation: How I Teach It

Bilateral lung transplantation (BLTx) offers diverse educational opportunities for all cardiothoracic trainees. The conduct of this operation involves principles of exposure, dissection, mechanical support, reconstruction, and procedural sequencing valuable for both cardiac and thoracic subspecialties. Unfortunately, the educational value of BLTx is threatened by an increasingly complex recipient population and the pressures of regulatory oversight with publicly reported outcomes. With proper forethought and attention to educational principles, a productive learning experience may be created even with a challenging transplant requiring multiple attending surgeons.