An overview of Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
Lung volume reduction surgery is a medical procedure used to improve breathing in individuals with severe emphysema, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During the surgery, a chest (thoracic) surgeon removes small wedges of damaged lung tissue, about 20-30% of each lung, to allow the remaining tissue to function better. This results in improved breathing.
What is Lung Volume Reduction Surgery used for?
Lung volume reduction surgery is primarily used to improve breathing in individuals with severe emphysema, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During the procedure, small wedges of damaged lung tissue are removed, allowing the remaining tissue to function better. This results in increased lung capacity, improved breathing, and overall better quality of life for the patient.
How to prepare for Lung Volume Reduction Surgery?
Before lung volume reduction surgery, patients typically undergo several preparatory steps to assess their overall health and lung function. These may include imaging and physiological evaluation, pulmonary rehabilitation, medical history and physical examination, medication review, and lifestyle modifications. These preparations aim to ensure that the patient is in the best possible health for the surgery and has the highest likelihood of benefiting from the procedure.
How is Lung Volume Reduction Surgery conducted?
Lung volume reduction surgery is typically conducted to improve breathing in individuals with severe emphysema. Before the surgery, your doctor may recommend imaging and physiological evaluation, including tests of heart and lung function, exercise tests, and a CT scan of the lungs to assess the severity and location of emphysema. During the surgery, a chest (thoracic) surgeon removes small wedges of damaged lung tissue, usually about 20 to 30 percent of each lung, to allow the remaining tissue to function better. The goal is to improve breathing, exercise capacity, and quality of life. To determine if you might benefit from lung volume reduction surgery, your doctor will consider these evaluations and assess your overall health.
How are Lung Volume Reduction Surgery results reported?
Lung volume reduction surgery results are typically reported in terms of improvements in exercise capacity, lung function, and quality of life. Studies have shown that the surgery can be effective in improving these aspects compared to nonsurgical treatments for select candidates. However, it's important to note that not all individuals with emphysema benefit from the surgery, and a lung transplant may be a better option for those with inherited forms of emphysema, such as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency-related emphysema.
Understanding the report
Lung volume reduction surgery results are interpreted by comparing the patient's outcomes to their baseline before the surgery and to those of people who have undergone nonsurgical treatment. Studies have shown that lung volume reduction surgery improves exercise capacity, lung function, and quality of life in select candidates when compared with people who were treated nonsurgically. However, people who are born with an inherited form of emphysema, called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency-related emphysema, are not likely to benefit from lung volume reduction surgery. A lung transplant may be a better treatment option for these individuals.
Limitations and Considerations
Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is a treatment option for select individuals with severe emphysema, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The primary purpose of LVRS is to improve breathing and quality of life by removing damaged lung tissue. Although LVRS has shown positive results in studies, there are some limitations to consider. One limitation of LVRS is that it is not suitable for everyone with emphysema. People with certain inherited forms of emphysema, such as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency-related emphysema, may not benefit from the surgery and may require alternative treatments like lung transplantation. Another limitation is that LVRS is an invasive surgical procedure with potential risks and complications. These can include bleeding, infection, and injury to surrounding structures. Recovery can be lengthy and may require extensive rehabilitation. In addition, not all emphysema lesions are amenable to LVRS. The surgery typically targets specific areas of the lungs that are more severely affected, and it may not address all regions of emphysema. It is crucial to discuss the potential benefits and limitations of LVRS with your doctor to determine if it is the right treatment option for you.