Surgical aspects and techniques of lung volume reduction surgery for severe emphysema

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) has become an accepted procedure for palliative treatment of diffuse, nonbullous emphysema. Single or multiple peripheral segmental wedge resections of the most destroyed areas of the lungs are performed with the use of stapling devices, in order to decrease hyperinflation and restore diaphragmatic function. Median sternotomy, videoendoscopy or anterior muscle sparing thoracotomies have been used as surgical approaches. The functional improvement after bilateral resections exceed those after a unilateral approach. LVRS has demonstrated its potential as an alternative to transplantation, and with growing experience, the indications for the procedure have been widened. In selected patients with peripheral lung cancer who have been considered unsuitable for a surgical resection, the combination of both tumour resection and LVRS has successfully been performed. In contrast to LVRS, laser surgery of the emphysematous lung has been abandoned in most institutions.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				U. Anegg, J. Lindenmann, V. Matzi, J. Smolle, A. Maier, and F. Smolle-Juttner Efficiency of fleece-bound sealing (TachoSil(R)) of air leaks in lung surgery: a prospective randomised trial Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., February 1, 2007; 31(2): 198 - 202. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Mavrilas, P. G. Koutsoukos, E. N. Koletsis, E. Apostolakis, and D. Dougenis In Vitro Evaluation for Potential Calcification of Biomaterials Used for Staple Line Reinforcement in Lung Surgery Experimental Biology and Medicine, December 1, 2006; 231(11): 1712 - 1717. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Brenner, N. M. Hanna, R. Mina-Araghi, A. F. Gelb, R. J. McKenna Jr, and H. Colt Innovative Approaches to Lung Volume Reduction for Emphysema Chest, July 1, 2004; 126(1): 238 - 248. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Lang, A. Csekeo, G. Stamatis, L. Lampl, L. Hagman, G. M. Marta, M. R. Mueller, and W. Klepetko Efficacy and safety of topical application of human fibrinogen/thrombin-coated collagen patch (TachoComb) for treatment of air leakage after standard lobectomy Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., February 1, 2004; 25(2): 160 - 166. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Decramer Treatment of chronic respiratory failure: lung volume reduction surgery versus rehabilitation Eur. Respir. J., November 16, 2003; 22(47_suppl): 47s - 56s. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				U. Stammberger, W. Klepetko, G. Stamatis, J. Hamacher, R. A. Schmid, W. Wisser, L. Hillerjan, and W. Weder Buttressing the staple line in lung volume reduction surgery: a randomized three-center study Ann. Thorac. Surg., December 1, 2000; 70(6): 1820 - 1825. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Hamacher, E. W. Russi, and W. Weder Lung Volume Reduction Surgery : A Survey on the European Experience Chest, June 1, 2000; 117(6): 1560 - 1567. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]