Lung volume reduction surgery is a procedure used to removed diseased bullae in patients with emphysema.  Removing bullae will prevent bullae rupture (causing a pneumothorax) and also will allow the rest of the lung to expand more and compensate.  

Pre-Operative Details:

Your surgeon will give specific instructions before the surgery, including risks (i.e. bleeding, infection, adverse reaction to anesthesia, etc.).  Please make sure to contact your insurance company for coverage.  You will also meet with the anesthesiologist prior to the surgery to go over your medical history.  Please do not eat after midnight the night before your surgery.  On the day of surgery, you will arrive at the hospital, get registered, and get changed into a hospital gown.  A nurse will then review your chart to make sure there are no problems and then get all the paperwork in order for surgery.  The anesthesiologist will then start an IV and you will be taken to the operating room, where the surgeon will verify your name and procedure before any medication is given.  Once you are under anesthesia, surgery will begin.

Operative Details:

The surgeon will make an incision in the chest on the side between ribs, depending on where the bullae are.  The ribs will be spread and the surgeon will divide off the bullae or diseased lung and then seal the lung incision with staples.  The chest will then be closed with either staples or stitches.

Post-Operative Details:

After the surgery, you will be taken to the intensive care unit and be monitored.  You will likely experience pain and will given pain medication appropriately.  It is important to keep the incision areas clean and dry.  The length of your hospital stay depends on how quickly you are able to recover and perform some physical activity.  If you experience fevers, severe pain, redness/swelling/warmth where the incisions were made, or drainage from the incisions, please let your doctor know immediately.  Your surgeon will give specific instructions about recovery time.