Pune Hospital Achieves Milestone with Rare Bilateral Lung Transplant, Giving Army Soldier a New Lease on Life
Pune Hospital Achieves Milestone with Rare Bilateral Lung Transplant, Giving Army Soldier a New Lease on Life
In an inspiring display of medical excellence and national commitment, a serving 30-year-old Indian Army soldier from Jammu & Kashmir has been given a second chance at life after undergoing a rare and complex bilateral lung transplant at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune. The soldier, who had been battling a life-threatening condition known as Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (PLCH), has now recovered and returned to life with renewed strength, marking a significant milestone in Indian transplant history.
This case holds the distinction of being the first successful bilateral lung transplant on a serving Army personnel in India. Diagnosed with PLCH — a rare interstitial lung disease that leads to progressive respiratory failure — the officer’s condition had deteriorated to the point of being entirely oxygen-dependent and confined to his bed. Referred from the Cardiothoracic Centre of Command Hospital, Pune, the soldier was registered for transplant at DPU on March 20, 2025, as his health rapidly declined.
The life-saving surgery took place on April 14, 2025. It lasted for 12 hours and was conducted by a dedicated and highly skilled transplant team led by Dr. Sandeep Attawar, Lead Transplant Surgeon at DPU Super Specialty Hospital. The soldier showed an extraordinary post-operative recovery — off oxygen within a week and discharged from the hospital within a little over two weeks. He left the hospital walking on his own and breathing independently, a testament to the success of the operation and the teamwork behind it.
Dr. Attawar remarked on the exceptional coordination required for such a surgery, especially in the context of treating a rare and complex disease like PLCH. He emphasized that the procedure demanded absolute clinical precision and complete trust among all departments involved. Transplant Pulmonologist Dr. Rahul Kendre also praised the soldier’s determination and the strong support from the entire medical team that made this outcome possible.
The logistics behind this transplant were just as critical and carefully managed. With organ availability being time-sensitive, a green corridor was established to transport the donor lungs from Dombivli to Pune in under two hours. Facilitated by the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC) and overseen by Ms. Aarti, this effort was executed with military-like precision. The operation was led by Mr. Pramod Patil and Mr. Parthasarathy Shanmugam, with invaluable support from local traffic commissioners and authorities across districts who ensured seamless passage for the organ.
DPU’s Chancellor, Hon’ble Dr. P. D. Patil, highlighted the collaborative strength of the healthcare ecosystem that made this rare procedure a success. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to every individual involved — from clinicians and nurses to coordinators and administrative staff. Dr. (Mrs.) Bhagyashree P. Patil, Pro-Chancellor of Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, echoed this sentiment, describing the surgery as a reflection of the institution’s core values: compassion, excellence, and dedicated service to the nation.
Dean Dr. Rekha Arcot emphasized that this historic transplant is more than just a medical achievement—it’s a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of India’s armed forces. The multidisciplinary ICU team, led by Dr. Prashant Sakhwalkar with support from Dr. Asir Tamboli, Dr. Swapnil, Dr. Sagar, Dr. Viren, and Dr. Amey Sable, provided round-the-clock critical care. Physician assistants Dr. Sangapriya, Dr. Pratiksha, and Dr. Shifa ensured inter-departmental coordination for seamless care delivery.
The rehabilitation phase was carefully managed by Dr. Ranjith Joel and Dr. Ashok, whose guidance helped the soldier regain full physical function. Meanwhile, in the operating rooms, skilled professionals like Sijo Rajan, Rijo Kuriakose, Rohini, and Wamik facilitated organ retrieval and transplantation with expert precision. Halimath, Vishal, and Suneel managed organ perfusion and ECMO support, while bronchoscopic diagnostics were handled expertly by Mr. Bagwat Patil.
Nursing staff members Ganesh Munde, Pooja, Preeti, Nayna, Vaishali, Sonali, and Kavita were central to patient care throughout the pre- and post-operative phases. Transplant coordination, including ZTCC compliance and documentation, was seamlessly managed by Mr. Arun Ashokan and Ms. Vasanthi. Overall medical preparedness and integration were supervised by Dr. H. H. Chavan, Medical Superintendent of DPU Super Specialty Hospital.
With over 460 successful transplants, including 32 bilateral lung transplants, 4 combined heart-lung transplants, 4 standalone heart transplants, and 1 combined heart-kidney transplant, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre continues to affirm its role as a national leader in transplant science and critical care medicine.
The hospital, accredited by NABH and NABL and ranked 11th in the NIRF, has also been recognized as a Green Hospital by AHPI. Holding A++ status from NAAC and certified under ISO 9001:2015, the institution stands as a benchmark for excellence, innovation, and patient-centered care.
