BACKGROUND: For patients with end-stage emphysema undergoing lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS), we have preferred a bilateral (BLVRS) approach to achieve maximum benefit with a single procedure. A unilateral (ULVRS) approach has been used in certain patients in whom BLVRS is contraindicated. METHODS: Between January 1993 and December 2006, 43 consecutive patients underwent ULVRS. The study excluded patients undergoing giant bullectomy. Relative contraindications for BLVRS were unilateral emphysema, 21; unilateral emphysema plus other factors, 2; and other factors alone, 10. Preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation was required. Postrehabilitation data were used as the baseline for analyses. Outcome measurements for ULVRS were compared with BLVRS results. RESULTS: After ULVRS, the mean increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) from postrehabilitation values was 32% at 6 months (p



St. Louis, Missouri 63110-1013
USA

Departments Name: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Institution name: Washington University School of Medicine
Authors: Meyers BF, Sultan PK, Guthrie TJ, Lefrak SS, Davis GE, Patterson GA, Cooper JD, Yusen RD.
Journal Name: Ann Thorac Surg.
Data: 2008, Jul
Volume: 86(1):204-11
Country: USA