NHS offers lung volume reduction procedures for severe emphysema

Lung volume reduction is being made available for adults in England who have severe emphysema, after NHS England approved the treatment. An estimated 660 people in England are currently suitable for the treatment, and this number could increase to around 1200 over the next five years.

Emphysema is one of the presentations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is caused by inhaling noxious materials, such as tobacco smoke, leading to the breakdown of elastic tissue in the lung. Around 1.1 million people in England have a COPD diagnosis.

Lung volume reduction is an approach …