Lung Volume Reduction Surgery.?

Question

My father is going to have Lung Volume Reduction Surgury (LVRS). Does anyone know of any videos of this surgury that are available online?

Answer 1

The surgery itself is no different that the currently accepted lung lobe removal procedure. The difference lies in the intent of the surgery and its anticipated benefits.

I doubt that you're going to find any videos of the surgery itself unless you have access to an electronic Medical Library. Below is a link to a discussion of the theory of the procedure.

LVRS is a procedure that seeks to improve a COPD (primarily emphysema) patient's lung air flow by removing diseased (unusable) portions of other lobes in an effort to reduce pressure on unaffected or less affected lobes and stimulate increased lung capacity in those unaffected lobes.

It carries with it a high degree of complication risks, not the least of which is increased susceptibility to fungus and bacterial infections, etc.

However, in light of the debilitating COPD itself, the surgery may be a viable alternative if carefully considered and applied.

Emphysema is a disease of the lung, which is caused by chronic irritation of the lung tissue. The most common cause of Emphysema is smoking. Chronic irritation of the lungs causes the lung sacks (aveoli) to break down and form large “bullae” or “air sacks”. These air sacks trap air in your lungs. These air sacks are not used efficiently in gas exchange during normal breathing. The air sacks also compress the underlying lung and stretch the overlying muscles used in breathing. This compression and the decreased ability to use the normal mechanism of breathing may be the reason emphysema patients are short of breath.

In Lung Volume Reduction Surgery, surgeons remove about 30 percent of the damaged lungs. By reducing the lung size, the remaining lung and surrounding muscles (intercostals and diaphragm) are able to work more efficiently and make breathing easier. The patient will need to go under general anesthesia for this operation.


My father had advanced emphysema (life-time smoker) but his emphysema was disseminated throughout his entire pulmonary system, so LVRS was not appropriate for him.

Answer 2

No, I have not seen a video on this surgery. I would ask your father's pulmonary team this question. They should have one you can view.

"TECH" is 100% correct in his/her description of this surgery.

I have end stage emphysema. I am 61 years old and quickly passing the age they like to do the surgery. I could have elected to have a transplant or the LVRS. I have opted not to have either one.

After weighing the pros/cons of each option, I decided against it. If I were to have one, it would be the LVRS. They didn't want to do that in the beginning because my emphysema is spread over both lungs and it is more than they like to deal with. But since my lungs are what they are, they decided if I fulfill a couple items they would do it.

Some times they don't have to make an incision and some times they do. Each case is different just like the disease. They told me they never know what they will find until they get inside and look around.

I sincerely hope your father has looked at all the options and alternatives before having this surgery.

Much Luck to him. I pray he does well.

Answer 3

Well if she's considering one I'm guessing she has lung problems? I havent had a lung reduction but when I was in hospital having a lung biopsy there was a woman opposite me that had one done, overall she looked like she was coping better with the pain but she also could have been given more morphine or whatever. If you wanna know about the time in hospital or anything feel free to send me a message.

Answer 4

I am a registered Respiratory Therapist and have never heard of this. Would be interested in knowing when you live?
Go to www.webmd.com and research it. Good luck to and may your Father do well. God Bless.