Surgical options for patients with COPD: sorting out the choices
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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome
Published on: January 23, 2026
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-06522, USA. benditt@u.washington.edu
Abstract:
Surgical procedures designed to improve pulmonary function and quality of life of patients with advanced emphysema have been attempted for more than a century. Of the many attempted procedures, only giant bullectomy, lung transplantation, and lung-volume-reduction surgery have withstood the test of time and are currently being practiced. This article reviews each of these procedures and also develops a rational approach to selecting appropriate candidates for these 3 interventions.
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