Lung volume reduction: surgical treatment for emphysema.
BACKGROUND
Lung volume reduction surgery is currently being investigated as a method of improving the respiratory function of patients with end-stage emphysema.


OBJECTIVE
This article reviews the current literature on lung volume reduction surgery and proposes a multidisciplinary team approach to postoperative management.


METHODS
We did a MEDLINE search and retrieved relevant articles. We selected and reviewed nine medical articles published in 1993, 1995, and 1996; one medical article from 1959; and one of four nursing articles. Overall, the articles describe the different techniques of median sternotomy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and unilateral versus bilateral procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Lung volume reduction surgery is beneficial, but further investigation is required.
Newsome
E A
EA
Cardiothoracic Telemetry Unit, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, USA.
Ott
B B
BB
D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome