<unk> , or<unk> , can improve the quality of life for certain COPD and emphysema patients. Parts of the<unk>  that are particularly damaged by emphysema are removed, allowing the remaining, relatively good<unk>  to expand and work better.
Conventional<unk>  involves resection of the most severely affected areas of emphysematous, non-bullous<unk>  (aim is for 20-30%). This is a surgical option involving a mini-thoracotomy for patients suffering end stage COPD due to underlying emphysema, and can improve<unk>  elastic recoil as well as diaphragmatic function.
The National Emphysema Treatment Trial (Fishman et al., 2003) was a large multicentre study (N = 1218) comparing<unk>  with medical treatment. Results suggested that:
Possible complications (Hopkins et al., 2006):
Mortality at 90 days of 1.8% and survival at 3 and 5 years of 91.1% and 76% respectively.
Prolonged air leak (mean duration post<unk>  until all ICC's removed is 10.9 +/- 8.0 days)
Lung volume reduction surgery
Chronic bronchitis medical therapy
Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency medical therapy
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis medical therapy
Bronchiectasis medical therapy
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medical therapy
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis surgery
Pulmonary edema interventional therapy