Surgical technic of major airway support for pulmonary emphysema

1. 1. A surgical approach designed to support collapsible major airways in emphysema is described in detail. 2. 2. Twelve patients have undergone tracheal support surgery to date with no operative mortality. Four late deaths have occurred, three of which were attributed to causes other than surgery. 3. 3. Improvement, measured clinically and by repeated pulmonary function determinations and cinebronchography, has been of sufficient degree in four of eight survivors and three of four patients in the late death group to merit continued application of this procedure in selected patients with obstructive emphysema.