[Surgical management of COPD distension]

The impressive results seen when giant and compressing lung bullae are resected has inspired pneumonologists and thoracic surgeons to consider the possibility of applying a similar approach to the treatment of respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The major problem with this surgical indication lies in our ability to understand fully the pathophysiology of lesions and thus identify which emphysematous patients will have a response most similar to that achieved in purely bullous disease.

At the present time consideration should be given as to whether surgery is the only means of reducing pulmonary distension. Indeed, as endoscopic alternatives develop could they reproduce its beneficial effects and what would be their place compared to the surgery?

While waiting the development of these innovations, if the selection of the candidates is correct, the surgical treatment of lung hyperinflation can temporarily improve the quality of life of these patients by decreasing their dyspnea and increasing their exercise tolerance.