Improvements in thoracic movement following lung volume reduction surgery in patients with severe emphysema

In twelve patients with severe emphysema who underwent lung volume reductio n surgery (LVRS), we assessed the results of dyspnea scale, pulmonary funct ion, 6-minute walk distance (6MD), and thoracic movement prior to and 6 mon ths following LVRS, Postoperatively, forced expiratory volume (FEV1), maxim um inspiratory mouth pressures (MIP), maximum expiratory mouth pressures (M EP), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), diffusing capacity for carbon mon oxide (DLco), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and 6MD were significantly increased with the decrease in dyspnea scale and lung hyperinflation, Thora cic movement, as assessed by the bilateral lung area ratio of the mid-sagit tal dimension of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at full inspirati on to that at full expiration, was significantly increased. The improvement in thoracic movement was significantly correlated with the increases in FE V1, MVV, and MIP, and with the decrease in residual volume (RV), and with t he improvement in the dyspnea scale. These findings suggest that LVRS is an effective procedure for improving not only the airflow limitation and gas exchange but also the thoracic movement in severe emphysema, and these impr ovements may contribute to an increase in exercise performance and relief o f dyspnea.