The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of staged bilateral single-port thoracoscopic
lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for patients with chronic obstructive
pulmonary emphysema (COPE). Eleven male patients with a mean age of 60.27±12.11 years with bilateral COPE and
bullae were admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xuzhou Central Hospital from January 2013 to June 2014. The patients underwent staged bilateral single-port thoracoscopic LVRS. The hyperinflated
bullae were resected using endoscopic staplers (Endo-GIA), followed by continuous
suture and
biological glue for reinforcement of the margin. In addition, pulmonary function, blood gas assay, 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and life quality evaluated by a short form 36-item health survey questionnaire (SF-36) were recorded before and after LVRS, respectively. All the patients survived after surgery. The
chest tube drainage time was 9.09±1.31 days and postoperative
hospital stay was 15.73±2.75 days, with 5 cases of persistent air leakage and 7 cases of pulmonary
infection which were finally cured. The patients were followed up for 3 to 12 months, and the pulmonary function, partial pressure of
oxygen (pO2), 6MWD and life quality after unilateral or bilateral LVRS were improved compared to these parameters before surgery. However, there was no significant difference between unilateral and bilateral LVRS in terms of life quality. In conclusion, staged bilateral single-port thoracoscopic LVRS may improve the short-term life quality of patients with COPE.