What is lung volume reduction surgery? Who can be helped by this treatment?
Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) offers hope for a select group of patients with emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During this procedure, part of the more diseased portion of one or both of the lungs is removed. With the increased space in the chest cavity, the flattened diaphragm functions better, pumping air into and out of the lungs. The procedure can be performed with an open thoracotomy, or thoracoscopically – using a staple procedure as a less invasive approach. At UCLA, the thoracoscopic procedure is used in the majority of cases. (read more) Is there a minimally invasive surgical treatment for chronic heartburn? Yes, for patients whose atypical gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or chronic heartburn does not improve with medical treatment, a minimally invasive procedure called Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF) can effectively improve overall quality of life, says Dr. Joe Hines, director of the UCLA Center for Esophageal Disorders. This su
