ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the outcome of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS)under video-assisted thoracoscopy in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary emphysema.Methods The follow-up date of 68 patients with severe emphysema underweut LVRS by video-assisted thoracoscopy were analyzed retrospectively betweeu June 2002 to June 2012.Mean FEV1.0 、FCV 、RV、PO2 、PCO2 、mean 6MWT were assessed before their surgery and 6 months,1-year and 2-years after their surgery respectively.Results Compared with their preoperative results,Lung function,arterial blood gasanalysis and 6-minute walk distance (6-MWD) increased outstanging.Conclusion LVRS by VATS provides significant clinical and physiological improvement for the majority of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary emphysema.