Lung volume reduction surgery is safe and feasible after initial endobronchial valve treatment for emphysema patients

Marlies Van Dijk; Caroline Van De Wauwer; T David Koster; Karin Klooster; Dirk-Jan Slebos

doi:10.1093/icvts/ivae094

Lung volume reduction surgery is safe and feasible after initial endobronchial valve treatment for emphysema patients

Interdiscip Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2024 May 2;38(5):ivae094. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivae094.

Authors

Marlies Van Dijk^{1

2}, Caroline Van De Wauwer³, T David Koster^{1

2}, Karin Klooster^{1

2}, Dirk-Jan Slebos^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningenv, Groningen, Netherlands.
² Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, Groningen, Netherlands.
³ Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.

Abstract

Objectives: Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves is a guideline treatment leading to improved pulmonary function, exercise tolerance and quality of life, in patients with advanced emphysema, severe hyperinflation and no collateral ventilation. After valve treatment, loss of the initial lung volume reduction effect can occur, as well as local valve-induced complications such as persistent haemoptysis. In these cases, a surgical lobectomy can be considered to achieve similar efficacy outcomes. We evaluated the safety and feasibility of a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy after valve treatment.

Methods: This single-centre retrospective study included patients who underwent an elective lobectomy after previous valve treatment. Data were evaluated for safety and efficacy for the additional surgical procedure.

Results: Twenty-one patients [73% female, median age 67 (7) years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s 29 (7) %pred, and residual volume 223 (58) %pred] were included. There was no 90-day mortality and there were no postoperative intensive care admissions. Pulmonary infections (14%) and prolonged air leak (14%) were the most common complications. In patients who underwent surgery due to loss or lack of effect of valve treatment, a lobectomy led to a significant improvement in pulmonary function; median forced expiratory volume in 1 s +75 (193) ml (P < 0.013), forced vital capacity +450 (572) ml (P = 0.001), residual volume -665 (715) ml (P = 0.005). In patients who underwent a lobectomy because of complications of valve treatment, all complications were resolved after surgery.

Conclusions: We demonstrate that an elective lobectomy after an initial valve treatment is safe and feasible and restores the lung volume reduction effect.

Keywords: Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Endobronchial valve treatment; Lobectomy; Lung volume reduction surgery; Video-assisted thoracic surgery.