lung volume reduction surgery


lung volume reduction surgery

procedure whereby nonfunctional lung tissue in emphysema patients is removed, allowing more room in the thoracic cavity for good relatively healthy tissue and thus theoretically improving lung function.
See also: emphysema.

lung vol·ume re·duc·tion sur·ger·y

(lŭng vol'yūm rĕ-dŭk'shŭn sŭr'jĕr-ē) Procedure whereby nonfunctional lung tissue in emphysema patients is removed, allowing more room in the thoracic cavity for relatively healthy tissue and thus theoretically improving lung function.
See also: emphysema

lung volume reduction surgery

Surgical removal of emphysematous lung tissue, esp. of inelastic air spaces in the upper lobes of the lungs, to enhance the ability of the rest of the lung to expand and contract. This surgery improves respiratory function for many patients with advanced chronic obstructive lung disease although the long-term benefits of its use are uncertain. See also: surgery