Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common form of primary pulmonary disability. Few effective treatment options exist for it, but recently, lung-volume reduction surgery (LVRS) has been shown to be effective in selected patients with emphysema. Pulmonary rehabilitation is an integral part of the preparation for and recovery from the procedure and has significant benefit in helping to improve the quality of life and conditioning of patients with COPD who undergo LVRS.
Overall article objectives: (a) To describe the role of pulmonary rehabilitation in LVRS, (b) to understand the components of a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program, and (c) to describe the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program.