Utility of Functional Pneumonectomy by Using Intrabronchial Valves: First Case Series and Single Center Experience

Intrabronchial valves are approved for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and used for prolonged air leak. There is no data on bronchoscopic functional pneumonectomy (BFP) when treating patients with persistent air leak (PAL) or for lung volume reduction purposes.

In this observational study, 10 consecutive patients who failed to improve with traditional therapies were assessed after they underwent BFP for PAL or lung volume reduction.

Ten patients underwent 17 valve placement procedures; 82 valves were placed (median: 8; range: 5 to 12). BFP was performed in 1 single lung transplant patient with hyperinflation of native lung compromising lung function. The rest of the patients had prolonged air leak because of various reasons; spontaneous (n=7) and postoperative (n=2). Pneumonia was the only procedure-related complication seen in 1 patient. Of patients with prolonged air leak with chest tubes (n=9), all had successful chest tube removal (median of 7 days; range: 3 to 21 d). The valves were removed within 6 weeks of chest tube removal in 6 patients. Prebronchoscopic and post-BFP actual forced expiratory volume in first second values in 2 transplant patients.

PAL usually occurs in patients with severe underlying lung condition or after surgery. Management of PAL can be challenging despite pleurodesis (medical or surgical). BFP offers a minimally invasive management option.