Q: After lung volume reduction surgery in COPD patients, they should be left intubated till air leak on chest tubes resolved. 

A) Yes 
B) No


Answer:  No

Ideally, after lung volume reduction surgery in COPD patients, patients should be extubated in OR to avoid positive pressure ventilation, given other clinical scenarios are stable. If needed, reintubation can be salvaged with transient use of Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV).



Reference: 

 Boasquevisque CH, Yildirim E, Waddel TK, Keshavjee S. Surgical techniques: lung transplant and lung volume reduction. Proc Am Thorac Soc 2009; 6:66.