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History of emphysema surgery
1Department of Surgery, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|December 5, 1997
Summary
Surgical interventions for emphysema have evolved significantly. While early attempts were largely unsuccessful, lung volume reduction surgery is now the most effective approach for this incurable pulmonary disease.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Thoracic Surgery
- Respiratory Disease Research
Background:
- Emphysema presents a significant challenge in modern chest surgery, with historical attempts to alleviate symptoms yielding poor outcomes.
- Physiologically unsound procedures like costochondrectomy, phrenisectomy, and thoracoplasty were detrimental, and autonomic nervous system interventions were unpredictable.
- Bullectomy showed promise for localized bullous emphysema, indicating a need for targeted surgical strategies.