title: The safety, efficacy, and durability of lung-volume reduction surgery: A 10-year experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) validated the efficacy of lung-volume reduction surgery (LVRS) in selected patients with emphysema; however, concerns about the safety and durability of the operation have limited its clinical application. We evaluated our experience with LVRS, for the time period since approval was given by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, with respect to surgical morbidity and mortality, early and late functional outcomes, and long-term survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis was performed on 91 patients for whom consent was obtained for bilateral LVRS at our institution between January 2004 and June 2014. Primary outcomes analyzed were 6-month surgical mortality and overall survival at 1, 2, and 5 years. Secondary outcomes (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], residual volume, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, a 6-minute walk test, exercise capacity, and a shortness-of-breath questionnaire) were analyzed for mean change from baseline at 1, 2, and 5 years after LVRS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 6-month surgical mortality rate was 0%. At the 1- and 5-year follow-up, 69% and 36% of the patients had an improvement in FEV1. The 1-, 2-, and 5-year FEV1 change in % predicted of the FEV1, compared with baseline after LVRS, respectively, was 11.1% (95% CI: 8.6%, 13.6%); 8.7% (95% CI: 6.1%, 11.4%); and 11.1% (95% CI: 7.1%, 15.0%); and the maximal workload (in watts [W]) had an average increase of: 10.7 W (95% CI: 6.9, 14.6); 7.6 W (95% CI: 2.8, 12.4); and 10.24 W (95% CI: 4.4, 16.1). Overall survival (95% CI) for the group was: 0.99 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.00) at 1 year; 0.97 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.00) at 2 years; and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.67, 0.89) at 5 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given proper patient selection, LVRS is a safe operation. Early functional measurements are consistent with significant clinical benefit. Long-term results demonstrate that improvements can be durable. Surgical LVRS continues to represent the standard for lung-volume reduction therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Electronic address: meg18@cumc.columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ginsburg
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Byron M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Thomashow
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Bulman
authors.affiliation: New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Jellen
authors.affiliation: New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Whippo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Cody
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chiuzan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Shing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sonett
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D018579:Patient Selection; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; emphysema; lung volume reduction surgery