[Surgical lung volume reduction--an option for treating severe pulmonary emphysema]

Lung volume reduction surgery is a novel operative concept, which may be applied in certain patients, who are severely handicapped by advanced pulmonary emphysema and suffer from dyspnea at minimal exercise despite optimal medical therapy. The most destroyed lung parts are resected by video-assisted thoracoscopy. This type of surgery has a surprisingly low morbidity and mortality at specialized centers. It improves symptoms by ameliorating lung function and exercise tolerance. Maximal functional improvement is observed and lung function starts to decline slowly within one to two years thereafter.