[Application of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction using one-way flap device in sheep model of heterogeneous
1Tianjin Institute of Respiratory Disease, Tianjin Haihe Hospital, Tianjin 300350, China. wqw572004@yahoo.com.cn
Objective:
To evaluate the effectiveness of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) using one way flap device in sheep model of heterogeneous emphysema.
Methods:
Six 6-month sheep (weight: 20-30 kg) were treated with localized papain instillations to generate heterogeneous emphysema, subsequently underwent BLVR using one way-flap device at subsegment. Lung functional residual capacity (FRC) was analyzed before and 8 weeks after operation. Animals were euthanized at the 8-week time point. Lungs were removed en bloc and inflated with a super syringe to look for areas of gross collapse. Samples were collected from collapsed and non-collapsed areas, fixed in 10% buffered formalin, made paraffin section and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) to observe morphologic change of bronchi.
Results:
BLVR was well tolerated without complications, and it reduced lung volumes (change in residual volume 49.5%). There was no evidence of infection, abscess, or granuloma formation, or allergic reaction. Scar tissue, generated by BLVR, replaced hyperinflated lung,improved respiratory function safely and consistently.
Conclusion:
BLVR using one-way flap device is a minimally invasive procedure and the stimulus of the devices to walls of bronchi is slight, moreover, the technique may attain effectiveness of surgery. Therefore maybe it will be a perspective treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

