Lung volume reduction surgery in a ventilator-dependent patient.

In recent years lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) has been advocated in a selected group of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. There are few reports of successful surgical intervention on ventilator-dependent patients. We present our own experience with a 53-year-old male who suffered an acute exacerbation of COPD and who could not be weaned off ventilation after 22 days. He underwent bilateral LVRS after which he was successfully weaned from ventilation. He is alive 4 years later with a satisfactory quality of life.