Airway cilia recovery post lung transplantation.

Background: Normally functioning airway cilia is essential for efficient mucociliary clearance to protect the airway from various insults. Impaired clearance may lead to increased risk of infections and progressive lung damage. Significant morbidity in the immediate post lung transplantation period is associated with airway infection, which we hypothesize may be caused by impaired cilia function.

Sequential unilateral lung volume reduction for emphysema - Stretching the benefit.

Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction (BLVR) and Surgical Lung Volume Reduction (SLVR) and are two different approaches used to remodel severely emphysematous lungs to improve lung function and quality-of-life. We present a case initially referred for lung transplantation, where sequential left upper lobe BLVR and 7 years later right upper lobe SLVR, providing enduring physiological and functional improvement. The potential for sustained benefit via sequential unilateral lung volume reduction is under-appreciated.

Feasibility and Safety of a Transthoracic Pneumostoma Airway Bypass in Severe Emphysema Patients.

Background: Emphysema is characterised by airflow obstruction, hyperinflation, and resultant dyspnoea. It is worth investigating whether decompression improves lung mechanics and enhances quality of life (QoL).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the feasibility and safety of creating a transthoracic pneumostoma to enable lung reduction.

Long-term outcomes from bronchoscopic lung volume reduction using a bronchial prosthesis.

Background And Objective: We evaluated long-term safety and lung function outcomes in a cohort of patients with severe upper-zone heterogeneous emphysema who underwent bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) performed with the Emphasys one-way valve.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken to assess long-term outcomes in 23 consecutive patients who underwent upper lobe BLVR between July 2001 and November 2003 as part of a first-in-humans study. Long-term follow up (>12 months) was available in 16/23 patients (median duration of follow up 64 months (range 15-90 months)).

A feasibility and safety study of bronchoscopic thermal vapor ablation: a novel emphysema therapy.

Purpose: This study reports the feasibility and safety of novel second-generation bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (LVR) technology, independent of collateral ventilation.

Description: Eleven patients with severe heterogeneous emphysema underwent unilateral bronchoscopic application of vapor thermal energy (mean 4.9 cal/g alveolar tissue; range, 3 to 7.

Occlusion of a broncho-cutaneous fistula with endobronchial one-way valves.

Bronchopleural and broncho-cutaneous fistulas can be problematic after lobectomy for tumors or aspergillomas. Closure of the air leak and treatment of infection are essential to allow the fistula to heal. The initial treatment can usually proceed along standard lines, but if the fistula persists, then treatment can be problematic.

Effect of three wound dressings on infection, healing comfort, and cost in patients with sternotomy wounds: a randomized trial.

Study Objective: To compare three dressing types in terms of their ability to protect against infection and promote healing, patient comfort, and cost-effectiveness.

Design: Prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Major metropolitan, academically affiliated, tertiary referral center.

The potential for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction using bronchial prostheses: a pilot study.

Study Objectives: Significant morbidity and mortality offset the benefits of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for emphysema. By contributing to distal lung collapse, bronchoscopic placement of valved prostheses has the potential to noninvasively replicate the beneficial effects of LVRS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and feasibility of placing valves in segmental airways of patients with emphysema.