Current status of lung volume reduction

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Emphysema is a severe lung disease.
• Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) involves resecting 20-30% of the lung.
• LVRS has historical roots dating back to the 1950s.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of LVRS.
• To assess LVRS as an alternative to lung transplantation.

Main Methods:

• Review of published series on LVRS outcomes.
• Analysis of patient improvements in lung volumes, exercise capacity, and well-being.

Main Results:

• Published series indicate LVRS improves expiratory lung volumes.
• Patients undergoing LVRS report enhanced exercise capacity and subjective well-being.

Conclusions:

• LVRS shows promise for end-stage emphysema treatment.
• The definitive value of LVRS requires results from randomized clinical trials.