Physiotherapy approach after lung transplantation in a critically ill COVID-19 patient: a case report

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2021 Nov 24;92(2). doi: 10.4081/monaldi.2021.2004.

Abstract

This study describes the case of an 18-years-old male affected by severe COVID-19, who was receiving bilateral lung transplantation (LT), after 71 days of mechanical ventilation and 55 days of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. From post-operative day 2, early mobilization and physiotherapy treatments were performed. Weaning from mechanical ventilation, the use of non-invasive ventilation and tracheostomy management were included in the treatment. Forty-five days after LT the patient was discharged at home, showing improvements in terms of functional and respiratory parameters, quality of life and mood. While evidences about physiotherapy treatments in lung transplantation post severe COVID-19 remain limited, early approach and a multidisciplinary team may be considered key elements for functional recovery of these subjects.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • COVID-19*
  • Critical Illness / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lung Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Quality of Life