Tampa General Hospital Set Lung Transplant Record
The hospital completed 62 procedures in 2026, marking a new milestone for organ transplantation in the city.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Asthma
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Tampa General Hospital achieved a record-breaking 62 lung transplants in 2026. This performance surpassed the previous annual record of 58 transplants set by the facility in 2010.
Why it matters
Expanding the number of successful transplants is critical because only 20% of donor lungs are typically suitable for surgical use. This record reflects improvements in how medical teams evaluate organ viability before surgery.
Official records from Tampa General Hospital confirm 62 lung transplants were completed in 2026, exceeding the prior 2010 benchmark. While 10 specific performance metrics are now tested on donor organs, only 20% of donor lungs meet the criteria for transplantation.
The players
Tampa General Hospital
A major medical center in Tampa that serves as a regional hub for complex surgical procedures including organ transplantation.
The details
To improve donor selection, the surgical team at Tampa General Hospital has begun using the XVIVO Lung Perfusion Machine. This device simulates the body by circulating blood and oxygen through the donor lungs while assessing 10 different aspects of organ health, including tissue expansion and contraction. By observing how these organs function outside the body, doctors can more accurately assess which lungs are safe to transplant.
Timeline
2010: Previous annual lung transplant record set.
2026: Hospital set new annual lung transplant record.
Health Landscape
The adoption of the XVIVO Lung Perfusion Machine marks a shift in how Tampa General Hospital manages donor organ viability relative to historical transplant volume benchmarks. This integration follows a broader trend of utilizing perfusion technology to improve the utilization of donor organs.
For patients in the Tampa area waiting for an organ, these advancements in pre-surgical evaluation may improve the likelihood of finding a compatible donor. If you have questions about transplant eligibility or local care options, these are topics worth discussing with your doctor.
The takeaway
Increasing the success rate of lung transplants depends on rigorous evaluation of donor tissue health. Patients with chronic lung conditions should work with their care team to understand the latest standards for organ placement and referral processes.
Further reading
For more information on respiratory health and advanced care, see Asthma.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
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