The safety and efficacy of lung volume reduction surgery: A 25-year single institution experience

Gian-Marco Monsch, Bianca Battilana, Claudio Caviezel, Dario Gregori, Ester Rosa, Adriana Grabar, Kathrin Chiffi, Caroline Steinack, Didier Schneiter, Isabelle Opitz  |  April 1, 2026

This large single‑center 25‑year cohort study confirms that lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) significantly improves lung function with low perioperative mortality. Prolonged air leak was the most frequent complication, affecting over 25% of patients and requiring reintervention in a subset. These findings highlight persistent air‑leak burden as a key determinant of postoperative course, underscoring the importance of optimized chest drain and air‑leak management in this high‑risk population.

Link to publication


All Papers »