Lung Volume Reduction

Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema often causes the lungs to enlarge due to air trapping or “hyperinflation.” This restricts the motion of the diaphragm, which is the main breathing muscle, causing shortness of breath and loss of stamina.

Lung volume reduction is a procedure designed to improve breathing in those with hyperinflation due to COPD or emphysema.  The goal is to make the lungs smaller to relieve pressure on the diaphragm, allowing it to move better. Lung volume reduction has been shown to help improve breathing ability, lung capacity, and overall quality of life for impacted patients.

There are two versions of lung volume reduction: 1) lung volume reduction surgery, in which part of the lung is surgically removed to reduce trapped air, and 2) bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, in which a bronchoscope (endoscope for the lungs) is used to place one-way valves in airways to block air flow to part of the lung, causing it to shrink.

Before lung volume reduction, patients undergo lung and heart testing and are evaluated by a team of pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons.