World-first surgery for lung patient aged 20

A YOUNG woman has made medical history after a double world-first operation to cure her lung condition.

Becky Jones, 20, is now out of intensive care following surgery. She was airlifted from her home in Dublin for the ground-breaking treatment at University Hospital of South Manchester (UHSM) in Wythenshawe.

Ms Jones made history twice by being the first patient to have a lung transplant while suffering from multi-resistant aspergillus, a common airborne fungus, and multiple fungal balls in her old lungs.

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Lung transplant patients have never before been able to have the operation while suffering from either of these conditions.

Aspergillus is a large number of diseases involving both infection and growth of fungus as well as allergic responses and is estimated to affect around 150,000 people in the UK.

The condition had left Ms Jones, who developed the condition because she has cystic fibrosis, virtually housebound, unable to walk properly, climb stairs or go out with friends.

She had been on the waiting list for over a year and was accepted for transplant only because the hospital at Wythenshawe also houses the National Aspergillosis Centre, which specialises in treating the condition.

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On May 29 she underwent the historic operation and just 18 days later is out of intensive care, tucking into her food and making plans for a future.

“Words simply cannot begin to describe the pure relief I feel,” Ms Jones said.