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Woman survives 6 days with no lungs

A woman was kept alive with no lungs for six days while she waited for a transplant. It's thought to be the first operation of its kind in the world.

Melissa Benoit had developed life-threatening complications as a result of her cystic fibrosis, she said: “In my mid-20s I started developing lung infections, and I acquired influenza with this bout which put me in respiratory distress.”

In April 2016, Melissa was given hours to live, until doctors undertook the pioneering surgery which she was told had a “small chance” of saving her life.

“I had to live on life support with no lungs for six days while I awaited suitable donor lungs. There was a lot of excitement when I came to, that, wow, this actually worked and we saved her,” added Melissa.

This clip is originally from 5 live Breakfast on Saturday 28 January 2017.

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