Ex-smoker becomes first in Britain to receive ground-breaking ‘lungs in a box’ transplant

A FORMER smoker has become the first patient in Britain to receive a ground-breaking “lungs in a box” transplant.

Daniel Evans-Smith, 49, received the organs after they were “reconditioned” by a machine mimicking the human body.

It keeps donor lungs alive for hours while a nutrient-rich liquid is pumped through them to improve their condition.

Daniel quit smoking 12 years ago but developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The event manager, of Northampton, said: "I feel very privileged to have been offered the opportunity to be in this situation.

“Last year it was discussed that I may soon need palliative care.

“Without having a lung transplant soon, the likelihood was that I wouldn’t survive much longer.

“I was woken early in the morning to news that a potentially suitable set of lungs had been found and they were going to be put on the machine to assess them.

“It was very sudden but the lungs performed well and the transplant went ahead.

“I can’t thank my donor and their family enough. Even in this short period of time after transplantation, my life has improved from where I was this time last year.”

He had his transplant in Cambridge at Royal Papworth Hospital — the first in Britain to use the XPS system by XVIVO.

It should also increase the number of lungs suitable for transplant.