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Emerging Surgical Technologies for Emphysema

Federico Venuta, MD, Ilaria Onorati, MD, Erino A. Rendina, MD

Key Points

  • The airway by pass and bronchoscopic lung volume reduction are one step beyond on their way to clinical application.
  • Lung morphology (heterogeneity) and collateral ventilation are important to select the most appropriate procedure.
  • The airway by pass allows bypassing the small obstructed airways.
  • The creation of artificial communications between lung parenchyma and segmental bronchi would facilitate lung deflation taking advantage of collateral ventilation.
  • Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with one – way valves facilitates deflation of the most over inflated emphysematous parts of the lung.
  • One way valves are designed to control and redirect airflow by preventing air entering the target lung but allowing air and mucous to exit.

Emphysema is a debilitating lung disease continuing to be a major source of morbidity and mortality in the developed countries. Estimates suggest that as many as two million people are affected in the United States; many of them develop severe dyspnoea and subsequent deterioration in quality of life, with associated costs of US $ 2.5 billion annually, and nearly 17.000 deaths each year [1],[2],[3],[4],[5]. Medical therapy is the mainstay of therapy and primarily consists of smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation, administration of bronchodilators and, when indicated, steroids and supplemental oxygen.

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Last updated: August 21, 2024