Our Summary

This research paper discusses Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a common, ongoing and incurable disease that blocks airflow in the lungs. Usual treatments, both drug and non-drug based, don’t do much to improve lung function in those with severe COPD. Despite the best drug treatments, many patients with severe COPD still have trouble breathing and a poor quality of life. If these patients also have severe lung damage, with a condition known as hyperinflation, reducing the volume of the lungs could significantly improve lung function, ability to exercise and quality of life. There are several ways to reduce lung volume, including surgery and non-surgical procedures, and they have shown promising results and are now included in COPD treatment recommendations. However, it’s still difficult to decide on the best lung volume reduction method for each patient. Also, there’s still a need to improve the long-lasting effects and safety of all procedures. Therefore, ongoing and innovative research is crucial to make progress in this area. The paper reviews the results and limitations of the current options for lung volume reduction in patients with severe lung damage and hyperinflation.

FAQs

  1. What is COPD and how does it affect lung function?
  2. What is the impact of lung volume reduction treatment on patients with severe COPD?
  3. What are the current lung volume reduction strategies for severe COPD patients and what are their limitations?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might give a patient undergoing lung surgery is to follow post-operative care instructions closely, including taking prescribed medications, attending follow-up appointments, and participating in pulmonary rehabilitation programs to aid in recovery and improve lung function. It is also important to avoid smoking and maintain a healthy lifestyle to support healing and prevent complications.

Suitable For

Patients with severe lung emphysema and hyperinflation, who have significant dyspnoea, exercise intolerance, and poor quality of life despite optimal pharmacological treatment, are typically recommended for lung surgery. This includes patients with advanced COPD who have not responded well to standard therapeutic strategies. Lung volume reduction surgery may be considered as a treatment option for these patients, as it has shown promising results in improving lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life. However, the choice of the optimal lung volume reduction strategy for each individual patient can be challenging, and ongoing research is needed to improve the durability and safety of these procedures.

Timeline

Before lung surgery:

  • Patient is diagnosed with severe COPD and has unsuccessfully tried standard therapeutic strategies.
  • Patient experiences high burden of dyspnoea and poor quality of life, despite optimal pharmacological treatment.
  • Patient undergoes evaluation to determine if lung volume reduction surgery is a suitable option.
  • Patient undergoes pre-operative assessments such as pulmonary function tests, imaging studies, and other tests to assess lung function and overall health.

After lung surgery:

  • Patient undergoes lung volume reduction surgery, either through surgical or bronchoscopic approaches.
  • Patient experiences improvement in lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life post-surgery.
  • Patient may undergo post-operative rehabilitation and follow-up care to monitor progress and address any complications.
  • Patient continues to be monitored long-term for durability of effect and safety of the procedure.
  • Ongoing research and advancements in lung volume reduction procedures continue to improve outcomes for patients with severe lung emphysema and hyperinflation.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential benefits of lung surgery for my specific condition?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with lung surgery?
  3. How long is the recovery period after lung surgery and what can I expect during this time?
  4. Will I need to make any lifestyle changes or follow a specific rehabilitation program after lung surgery?
  5. How successful is lung surgery in improving lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life for patients with severe lung emphysema?
  6. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider before proceeding with lung surgery?
  7. How experienced is the surgical team in performing lung surgery procedures?
  8. What is the long-term outlook for patients who undergo lung surgery for severe lung emphysema?
  9. How often will I need follow-up appointments or monitoring after lung surgery?
  10. Are there any specific factors or conditions that might make me ineligible for lung surgery?

Reference

Authors: Everaerts S, Vandervelde CM, Shah P, Slebos DJ, Ceulemans LJ. Journal: Eur Respir Rev. 2023 Dec 20;32(170):230004. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0004-2023. Print 2023 Dec 31. PMID: 38123230