Surgery for Emphysema
Emphysema is one of the leading causes of death in the United
States. In this condition, the fabric of the lung is gradually destroyed,
resulting in breathlessness and ultimately, oxygen dependency.
The main treatment for emphysema is medical. However, several
surgical procedures have been shown to improve the quality of life
for selected patients with severe emphysema. These include lung
transplantation, lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS), bullectomy,
and several experimental bronchoscopic treatments.
The thoracic surgical staff at
Penn has performed over
500 volume reductions procedures with gratifying
results.
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The thoracic surgeons at Penn have played a central role in the
development of all of these procedures, including performing
the world's first successful lung transplants and
the development of both LVRS and the experimental airway
bypass procedure.
LVRS is an operation in which the most damaged portions of
the lung are resected, improving respiratory mechanics and gas
exchange. Patients who are candidates for LVRS
are usually able to return to a more “normal”
lifestyle — including all of the activities that
most of us take for granted. Penn was one of
a limited number of centers that participated
in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial — the
study that proved beyond a doubt the effectiveness
of this operation in selected patients. The thoracic
surgical staff at Penn has performed over 500
lung volume reduction procedures.
In addition, innovative procedures designed
to improve the dyspnea of emphysema
patients are undergoing clinical trials at Penn.
These include both bronchoscopic lung
volume reduction — (a trial offered through
our Division of Pulmonary Medicine) — and
the bronchoscopic airway bypass procedure
pioneered by Dr. Joel Cooper.
The multidisciplinary emphysema program
at Penn depends upon the combined efforts
of a team including pulmonary physicians,
anesthesiologists, radiologists, respiratory
therapists, nurses, rehabilitation experts, and
others all working together to offer the most
experienced, personalized, and compassionate
care to patients suffering from this disabling
disease.
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