Lung volume reduction surgery: The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand

Lung volume reduction surgery involves the removal of emphysematous lung ti ssue with the aim of palliating symptoms in selected patients with severe e mphysema. This form of surgery is being practised in Australia with favoura ble short-term outcomes, similar to those reported in the literature. Large multicentre trials are currently underway in North America and the United Kingdom to clarify issues of safety and long-term efficacy. As a result, it is too early to apply an evidence-based approach to this procedure. In the meantime, local audits of practice need to be undertaken to define patient subgroups at higher risk of morbidity and mortality.