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If you are having troubles breathing due to emphysema or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) that has not responded to other therapy, then lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) may be an option for you.
When you come to Tufts Medical Center in downtown Boston for lung volume reduction surgery, you will find a team of experienced, compassionate doctors and staff who provide you with the most advanced treatments available.
If you are interested in LVRS, you won’t have to wait long. Once you call, we will quickly schedule an appointment and help you determine if this option is right for you. We will also work closely with your referring doctors to ensure that the surgery is seamlessly integrated into your ongoing care.
In order to provide you with comprehensive care, we work in a team comprised of all of the specialists you will need, including those from surgery, pulmonology and anesthesiology.
Your team will determine the extent of the damage in your lungs and the potential for a successful surgery. This includes evaluating the functionality of your heart and lungs and finding where the disease is located. We work with you and each other to develop a customized plan that is based on your condition.
The procedure that our thoracic surgeons use to treat COPD is a thoracoscopy, also known as VATS, which stands for Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery. Rather than making a large, open incision, doctors make small incisions in the chest through which they insert a digital video camera and the instruments they need.
Prior to surgery, you will meet with the surgeon and anesthesiologist, who will explain the procedure and answer any questions. After surgery, you will remain at the hospital for four to seven days. During that time, you will be seen physical therapists, occupational therapists and respiratory therapists, who will work closely with your surgeon and pulmonologist to ensure that you get the best care possible.
Throughout your care, we will be in contact with your primary care physician and provide details on the care you received at Tufts Medical Center along with our recommendations. We will always be available to answer any questions you have or address any concerns.
When you refer your patients to us, we will quickly make an appointment for them so we can evaluate whether surgery might be an appropriate treatment option. We look at the patient’s overall health and the extent of his or her disease to determine the likelihood that surgery will have a successful outcome.
Throughout evaluation and treatment we will remain in close contact with you to provide updates and recommendations. We are also available to you when you have any questions or need additional information.
To make an appointment to see one of our surgeons for a consultation, please call 617-636-5589.
