Bilateral Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction After Surgical Fissure Completion

Abstract

Although bilateral lung volume reduction surgery has been shown to be safe and effective in carefully selected patients with upper lobe-predominant emphysema and hyperinflation, bronchoscopic lung volume reduction via placement of endobronchial valves is conventionally performed only unilaterally. Furthermore, it is not offered to patients with interlobar collateral ventilation because of the lack of clinical efficacy. We describe two novel management approaches including (1) bilateral bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, and (2) a combined thoracic surgical and interventional pulmonary procedure involving surgical fissure completion followed by endobronchial valve placement, which culminated in safe and effective lung volume reduction of both lungs along with an excellent patient outcome.

Keywords: COPD; bilateral; bronchoscopic lung volume reduction; endobronchial valves; incomplete fissures.