[Long-term outcomes and possibility of LVRS]

A variety of surgical procedures for emphysema have been designed in the past. LVRS has recently been rediscovered and offers the potential of improving not only the pulmonary function but also quality of life of patients with advanced emphysema. Many studies have demonstrated short-term improvement in dyspnea and exercise tolerance following LVRS. But it is still unknown that the long-term effects of LVRS remain. We showed the data with undergone our LVRS and on the basis of newest NETT report. Our overall survival rate at 2 years, 4 years and 6 years was 81.5%, 61.1% and 56%, respectively, with LVRS. Survival advantage was observed the patient with predominantly upper lobe. Patients with preoperative% FEV1 of less than 30 showed a 51.5% survival rate 5 years after LVRS. In contrast, patients with preoperative FEV1 greater than 30%, 76.2% survived 5 years(p < 0.05). There was not significant but it was suggested that smoking history may affect the survival rate after LVRS.