Video-assisted thoracic surgery lung resection after endobronchial valve placement

Abstract

1 Endobronchial valve (EBV) placement has emerged as an alternative approach for treating patients with severe emphysema. The improvements in lung function after EBV placement, which allows video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lung resection in a previously nonsurgical candidate, have not been reported. We present a case of VATS lung resection after EBV placement in a patient with severe emphysema to illustrate clinical and surgical aspects in this new category of patients.