Over the last 10 years, single and bilateral lung transplantation has developed from an experimental technique to a valid therapy for patients with end-stage pulmonary or pulmonary-vascular disease. The main reasons for this progress are better defined selection criteria, improved operative technique and organ preservation, optimized peri- and postoperative management and more precise immunosuppressive and antiinfective therapy. Since 1983 more than 3000 lung transplantations have been performed worldwide with a 1- and 3-year survival rate of 70-90% and 60-70% respectively. In Switzerland 41 lung transplantations have been performed since 1992 with a 1-year survival rate of more than 80%. Indications, technique, treatment and results are discussed.