Cesar Franco, 50, contracted the virus just before Christmas 2021
(Picture: Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals)The first patient in the UK who required a double lung transplant due to complications from Covid-19 has been successfully discharged from a London hospital.
Cesar Franco, 50, contracted the virus just before Christmas 2021. Despite being healthy and having no underlying conditions, he was admitted to St Thomas’ Hospital after his condition deteriorated. Within days he was on life support and breathing through a ventilator.
Mr Franco went on to develop Covid pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs which leads to lung fibrosis. The fibrosis caused scarring of his lung tissue, meaning he was unable to breathe independently.
He remained in the Intensive Care Unit for five months before being transferred to Harefield Hospital, where he went on to receive a double lung transplant - the first of its kind in the UK.
Professor John Dunning, Director of heart and lung transplantation at Harefield Hospital and Cesar’s surgeon said: “Cesar’s story exemplifies everything that is great about the NHS, receiving excellent care throughout his journey. He was someone with an acute illness whose condition deteriorated to a point where he required the expert care from ICU staff and mechanical life support.
“At this point it was almost like he was a prisoner in ICU, shackled to life support machines which were the difference between life and death. Freedom from this prison happened when he was referred to the lung transplant service at Harefield and was given a second chance at life.”
Cesar was able to return home two months after his operation. Five months after his recovery, he is now able to take daily walks and spend quality time with his wife and son after a long period of time spent away from them.
Prof Dunning added: “Cesar was fortunate because he was able to receive a transplant. We have seen a decrease in organ donors since the beginning of the pandemic, and as a result, many patients on transplant lists are not living long enough to receive an organ.”
Mr Franco said the experience was “frightening” and he didn’t know if he would ever leave hospital.
“The doctors, nurses and physiotherapists that were by my side during my time in the hospital became my rock. They all treated me with the most respect, professionalism and compassion. They made sure to support me physically and emotionally during my lowest and most vulnerable times.”
He thanked his donor for giving him the “gift of life”.
“I am now able to live my life again and I want to get everything out of life now I have been given this precious gift.”
