Study supports laser emphysema surgery
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Thoracoscopic laser pneumoplasty (TLP) does improve the quality of life of emphysema patients, according to data published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery (October). The 500-patient study was carried out by Professor Akio Wakabayashi, the pioneer of the controversial technique for ameliorating the effects of bullous emphysema, and is the first to find significant benefits. TLP uses laser energy to shrink ineffective air sacs (bullae) which grow and cause shortness of breath as the disease progresses. Larger bullae are surgically removed.