Why Is LVRS Done?
Lung volume reduction surgery is done by a chest (thoracic) surgeon; it involves the removal of small wedges of damaged lung tissue, usually about 20 to 30 percent of each lung, in order to allow the remaining tissue to function better. If the surgery is successful, the diaphragm is able to contract and relax more effectively and efficiently and you are able to breathe more easily.
Not everyone lung condition requires lung volume reduction surgery. Your doctor needs to know that you’ll benefit from it before he prescribes the surgery. For him to determine if it is needed for your condition, he would recommend the following:
- Imaging and physiological evaluation, including tests of your heart and lung function, exercise tests, and a computerized tomography (CT) scan [3] of your lungs to assess the severity and location of the emphysema
- Initiation of pulmonary rehabilitation, a program that empowers people to take care of themselves by increasing awareness of their physical function and emotions