Who Needs Lung Volume Reduction Surgery?
Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) has proven to be an effective treatment for several Lung illnesses. The surgery has proven to help improve breathing ability, lung capacity, and overall quality of life in selected patients. However, the effectiveness of the surgery depends on the condition, location, or extent of the diseased tissue, also the level at which the patient can exercise tolerance and ability to tolerate surgery.
Lung volume reduction surgery is highly recommended and considered the most appropriate treatment for certain patients that meet established criteria. According to the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) [2] study that was first published in 2003, four sub-groups of patients who had different risks and benefits from the procedure (LVRS) were identified, they include:
First Group: Patients that have upper lobe emphysema and low exercise capacity. These patients may receive the most benefits from the surgery compared to any other patient group. These patients are more likely to live longer and function better after LVRS than after any other medical treatment.
Second Group: patients that have upper lobe emphysema and high exercise capacity. These patients are more likely to funcy better after LVRS than after medical treatment.
Third Group: Diffuse emphysema and low exercise capacity. These patients have similar survival rates and function after LVRS as after medical treatment.
Fourth Group: Diffuse emphysema and high exercise capacity. These patients are the least beneficial from the procedure, they have worse survival rates than after medical treatment.