Results of unilateral lung volume reduction surgery in patients with distinct heterogeneity of emphysema between lungs.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to analyze the comprehensive outcome of unilateral lung volume reduction in patients with distinct heterogeneity of emphysema between lungs assessed by a visual radiologic scoring system.


METHODS
Ninety-seven patients who underwent intentional unilateral lung volume reduction because of distinct heterogeneity of emphysema between lungs (asymmetric ratio of emphysema >/=1.1) between 1995 and 2003 were evaluated. Baseline median measures were 0.83 L for forced expiratory volume in 1 second, 5.0 L for residual volume, 380 m for 6-minute walking test distance, 0.50 for maximal incremental treadmill test score, and 25 for physical functioning domain score assessed by the Short Form-36 Quality of Life questionnaire.


RESULTS
Median follow-up was 34 months. Significant improvements occurred for as long as 36 months in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (+24%), residual volume (-12%), Short Form-36 Quality of Life questionnaire physical functioning domain score (+100%), 6-minute walking test distance (+18%), and maximal incremental treadmill test score (+200%). A direct correlation was found between asymmetric ratio of emphysema and change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second ( r = 0.65, P < .00001). At 60 months, residual volume (-6.2%), maximal incremental treadmill test score (+100%), and Short Form-36 Quality of Life questionnaire physical functioning domain score (+70%) were still significantly improved. Five-year survival was 82%; 5-year freedom from contralateral lung volume reduction was 70%.


CONCLUSIONS
In this series, significant, long-lasting improvements and satisfactory survival were seen after intentional unilateral lung volume reduction. Heterogeneity of emphysema between lungs was directly correlated with improvement at 36 months in forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Our results suggest that unilateral lung volume reduction is a suitable option for patients with distinct heterogeneity of emphysema between lungs.
Mineo
Tommaso C
TC
Thoracic Surgery and the Multidisciplinary Pulmonary Program, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.
Pompeo
Eugenio
E
Mineo
Davide
D
Rogliani
Paola
P
Leonardis
Carlo
C
Nofroni
Italo
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011336:Probability; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome