ISSN : 1301-5680
e-ISSN : 2149-8156
Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery     
Our initial experiences with endobronchial valve: a new approach for lung volume reduction
Sedat Altın1, Sinem Nedime Sökücü1, Levent Dalar2, Ahmet Levent Karasulu2
1Yedikule Göğüs Hastalıkları ve Göğüs Cerrahisi Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Göğüs Cerrahisi Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
2Yedikule Göğüs Hastalıkları ve Göğüs Cerrahisi Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Girişimsel Pulmonoloji, İstanbul, Türkiye
DOI : 10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2013.5168
An endobronchial valve can improve lung function measures and quality of life for patients with emphysema. The valve is designed to block inspiratory airflow in affected regions of an emphysematous lung, thereby conferring the benefits of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) without the risks of major surgery in selected patients. Also, it gives an option to improve lung functions in patients who are not candidates for LVRS or before transplantation. In this article, we discussed our experience on the use of endobronchial valves on four patients with heterogenous emphysema with persistent symptoms and functional restrictions, despite medical treatment and were frequently hospitalized due to dyspnea.
Keywords : Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; emphysema; endobronchial valve; lung volume reduction surgery
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