Lung Transplantation After Lung Volume Reduction Surgery

Background. Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) as a bridge to lung transplantation was first advocated in 1995 and published studies have supported the concept but with limited data. The risk-benefit tradeoffs of the combined procedure have not been thoroughly examined, although substantial information regarding LVRS has emerged. Methods. Of 177 patients who underwent lung transplantation for end-stage emphysema between 2002 and 2009 at our center, 25 had prior LVRS (22 bilateral and 3 unilateral). Lung transplantation was performed 22.9-15.9 months after LVRS. We compared in-hospital morbidity, functional capacity, and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent LVRS before lung transplantation with a matched cohort of patients without prior LVRS to assess the influence of LVRS on posttransplantation morbidity and mortality. Results. The incidence of postoperative bleeding requiring reexploration and the incidence of renal dysfunction requiring dialysis were higher in patients with LVRS before lung transplantation. Posttransplantation peak forced expiratory volume in 1 s was worse in patients with LVRS before lung transplantation (56.7% vs. 78.8%; P<0.05). Five-year survival was not significantly different (59.7% in patients with LVRS before lung transplantation vs. 66.2% in patients with lung transplantation alone). In multivariate analysis, age more than 65 years, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, and severe pulmonary hypertension were significant predictors for mortality (P<0.05). Conclusions. Although LVRS remains a viable option as a bridge to lung transplantation in appropriately selected patients, LVRS before lung transplantation can impart substantial morbidity and compromised functional capacity after lung transplantation. LVRS should not be easily considered as a bridge to transplantation for all lung transplant candidates.