Unilateral Versus Bilateral Lung Volume Reduction Surgery for Patients With Severe COPD
This study compares two surgical approaches for patients with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and severe emphysema: unilateral (operating on one lung) versus bilateral (operating on both lungs) lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS).
• Suitable target areas in both lungs
• Age ≥ 18 years.
• Speaks and understands Danish or English
• Informed consent obtained
• Usual inclusion criteria in LVRS:
⁃ Moderate to severe COPD with MRC score \> 2 \< 75 years old 17 \< BMI \> 30 FEV1 \> 20% and \< 45% of predicted RV \> 200% of predicted as a sign of relevant hyperinflation DLCO \> 20% of predicted The patient should be in ideal medical treatment and have completed rehabilitation A high-resolution CT \< 3 months old should follow the referral to MDT Absence of nodules suspicious of malignancy on CT scan Absence of significant comorbidity including severe cardiovascular disease LVEF normal Absence of pulmonary hypertension, TI-gradient \< 40 mmHg Absence of chronic or frequent lung infections Smoking abstinence six months prior to surgery Assessed as sufficiently physically fit to undergo surgery and rehabilitation