Mitchell Kristofer M, Boley Theresa M, Hazelrigg Stephen R
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9638, USA.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2006 Mar;81(3):1129-31. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2005.02.074.
Endobronchial valves have recently emerged as a possible alternative to lung volume reduction surgery to treat incapacitating emphysema. The early experience with placement of these valves has been shown to be safe, with short-term improvements of quality of life in this patient population. We report a case in which these valves were used to treat a patient with a persistent air leak.