Complications in Patients with Severe Emphysema

Nirmal K. Veeramachaneni, Bryan F. Meyers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Thoracic surgeons frequently evaluate patients with severe emphysema and concomitant pathology requiring pulmonary resection. There are no absolute guidelines defining the suitability of a given patient for resection. In this review, we outline our approach to evaluating and treating patients with severe emphysema in need of resection. We describe the lessons learned from lung volume reduction surgery and apply that knowledge to the care of the patient with severe emphysema. Careful preoperative evaluation of the patient's lung anatomy, distribution of emphysematous changes in the lung, and overall health is essential to identifying the appropriate candidate for resection and avoiding postoperative complications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)343-349
Number of pages7
JournalSeminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Volume19
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2007

Keywords

  • emphysema
  • lung cancer
  • lung resection
  • lung volume reduction surgery

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