The long-term health status improvements seen after lung volume reduction surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To correlate the long-term changes in respiratory physiology, body mass index (BMI) and health status after lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS).


METHODS
From 1995 to 2002 77 patients; 48 male: 29 female, median age 59 (41-72) years, have undergone LVRS (simultaneous bilateral in 27; staged bilateral in 3; unilateral in 47). FEV(1), total lung capacity (TLC), residual volume (RV) and RV/TLC ratio were measured preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years post surgery. At the same time interval health status was assessed by Euroquol and Short Form 36 (SF 36) questionnaires. Seventeen patients have died within 4 years of their operation (30 day mortality 5%).


RESULTS
The changes in FEV(1) are only significantly improved for 1 year post LVRS, while the improvements in TLC and RV remain significant up to 3 years postoperatively. The improvements in BMI also persist for 3 years. The best scores in Euroquol and SF 36 are obtained 6 months after LVRS but are only significantly improved up to 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
The physiological effects of volume LVRS are lasting but initial improvements in health status decline more rapidly.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome