[Lung volume reduction in severe emphysema].
BACKGROUND
Lung volume reduction (LVR) surgery is an effective and organ-preserving treatment option for patients suffering from severe dyspnea due to endstage emphysema.


METHODS
Resection of functionally inactive lung parenchyma reduces over-inflation and restores the elastic recoil of the lungs. Thus it results in improvement of dyspnea, mobility and pulmonary function. Patient selection is crucial. Of simliar importance is pulmonary rehabilitation, as well as sufficient expertise in the treatment of endstage chronic respiratory failure.


CONCLUSIONS
The in-hospital morbidity and mortality after LVR are acceptable (0 to 5%) and the good results seem to last at least 18 to 24 months. LVR can be offered to selected patients either as an alternative or as bridge to lung transplantation.
Demertzis
S
S
Abt. für Thorax-, Herz- und Gefässchirurgie, Universitgtsldiniken des Saarlandes, Homburg.
Wilkens
H
H
Schäfers
H J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008170:Lung Compliance / Q000502:physiology; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate