Cystic fibrosis patient Paul Minchin has returned home to Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, after a groundbreaking operation that is considered of great significance to the 1,100 Irish people with the rare genetic disorder. Adam Harveyreports.
Mr Minchin (18) was the first cystic fibrosis patient to receive a double lung transplant in Ireland. Prior to the successful operation at the Mater hospital last month, Irish cystic fibrosis patients had to travel to Newcastle for the procedure.
Undergoing a transplant in Ireland would greatly reduce the hardship on cystic fibrosis patients, said the head of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland, Godfrey Fletcher.
Mr Minchin received his new lungs during a four-hour procedure last month. Transplanting lungs to a cystic fibrosis patient is more complex than other lung transplant operations.
The operation will extend Mr Minchin's life and increase his quality of life.