Lung volume reduction surgery: technique, operative mortality, and morbidity.

The objective of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is the safe, effective, and durable palliation of dyspnea in appropriately selected patients with moderate to severe emphysema. Appropriate patient selection and preoperative preparation are prerequisites for successful LVRS. An effective LVRS program requires participation by and communication between experts from pulmonary medicine, thoracic surgery, thoracic anesthesiology, critical care medicine, rehabilitation medicine, respiratory therapy, chest radiology, and nursing.

Long-term follow-up of patients receiving lung-volume-reduction surgery versus medical therapy for severe emphysema by the National Emphysema Treatment Trial Research Group.

Background: The National Emphysema Treatment Trial defined subgroups of patients with severe emphysema in whom lung-volume-reduction surgery (LVRS) improved survival and function at 2 years. Two additional years of follow-up provide valuable information regarding durability.

Methods: A total of 1218 patients with severe emphysema were randomized to receive LVRS or medical treatment.