Operation Spiration, our special term for bronchial valve placement is the title of our FLASS educational campaign for the new procedure. Our “Operation Spiration” means we dedicate this blog article to an important new procedure FLASS offers.
Operation Spiration: A Very Special Procedure
When Medicine and Oxygen Treatments Fail to Help, Endobronchial Valve Placement May Be An Option.
As you might have guessed from the information in two previous blogs, we are discussing Spiration Therapy or Endobronchial Spiration Therapy. It is a cutting-edge, world-class, highly successful procedure. With this treatment, pulmonologists are helping to improve breathing in patients with severe or very emphysema.
“Here at FLASS, we are excited to be launching new information about this 21st-century treatment.
Our founding physician, Dr. Fortune Alabi stated, “Soon, Dr. Sharif and Dr. Kanagarajah will begin consulting with patients suffering from severe COPD …”
And he added they would be checking the patients to discover, “if they would be eligible candidates for lung volume reduction surgery.” You see, the spiration Valve placement can be an alternative to lung transplant or lung volume reduction. And the spiration valve placement is less invasive than either lung transplant or lung volume reduction.
A Little Back-Story on the Spiration Valve Treatment
The FLASS doctors will perform this new and mildly invasive procedure under the safe and healthy auspices of Advent Health Celebration Hospital. If you are a good candidate for this surgical procedure, you will probably need to schedule 3-5 days hospital time for recovery (surgery and recovery) time.
Please refer to the above-linked blogs for basic information. Thus, we invite you to be sure and read the details in BLOG #2 of this series, before continuing with this article.
Operation Spiration: Is this Procedure Right for You?
Once again, let us remind you. If you have emphysema, and traditional drugs and therapies give you good relief, then you do not need this procedure. However, it is bringing life-changing hope to very ill patients with severe or very severe emphysema.
Who Qualifies for the Endobronchial Valve Placement Procedure or “Operation Spiration?”
Spiration is a True 21st Century Medical Technology That Brings Some Patients an Alternative to a Lung Transplant.
Who will qualify for this new treatment?
- Patients who have failed to get relief from the traditional COPD drugs are the ones who could benefit from this procedure.
- Likewise, patients who have also tried oxygen treatments and rehabilitation therapies without good results could qualify for this procedure.
We realize that when the disease is very severe, the results of the above-mentioned COPD medicines and Oxygen treatments can range from disappointing to disheartening to depressing.
However, now, FLASS is proud to offer new hope to patients who suffer from a very severe level of Emphysema. Additionally, with our Operation Spiration campaign, we hope to educate the public about Spiration Valve Therapy. This includes both the procedure and its benefits.
Operation Spiration: Great Expectations for Endobronchial Valve Placement
One of the insidious characteristics of Emphysema is that it is progressive. That means the symptoms get worse, as time marches on. Patients with severe or very severe emphysema gradually face significant impacts on their lifestyle and their quality of life.
- Suddenly, the patient finds daily activities very challenging. “Even simple activities then become difficult.”
- Breathlessness and fatigue become more and more severe.
- Fighting these symptoms, the severely ill patient might retreat from friends and family.
As we stated above, experts say, “When medical management, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation no longer provide sufficient relief, lung reduction surgery and lung transplantation have been the only alternatives. Now, we have an alternative procedure. It is known as both endobronchial valve placement and spiration therapy.
Welcome to the 21st Century, Even if You Have Severe Emphysema!
Thus, we now introduce a new option: Endobronchial valve therapy. Clinical trials proved that the Spiration Valve System (SVS) gives very ill patients significant improvement.
We offer this minimally invasive treatment option because clinical trials have proven it brings patients several advantages:
1. Their lung function improved. This was proven with objective tests.
2. Patients endured less shortness of breath.
3. Many patients gained a renewed sense of energy and a fresh interest in the simple activities of daily life.
4. Many say they have found an overall improvement in their quality of life.
What is the Spiration Valve Treatment or Endobronchial Valve Placement?
Spiration is the FLASS Term For Improving the LifeStyle of Emphysema Patients Through Endobronchial Valve Placement.
In This treatment, the doctors will place from one to four tiny umbrella-shaped valves inside the airways of the patient’s respiratory system. The Spiration Valve system does two things:
- It redirects the air you breathe away from the sickest parts of your lungs.
- It sends the air toward the healthier areas of your lungs allowing you to breathe more easily.
The F.A.Q.’s (Frequently Asked Questions) about Spiration Therapy
FLASS “Operation Spiration” Now presents you with a few common questions that might cross your mind as you consider Spiration Therapy.
1. After my Spiration valves are placed, will I feel those little valves in my chest? Will they bother me?
Our answer is that you should be totally unaware of them as they do their job.
2. How much time will the doctor require to place the valves within my bronchial tubes?
FLASS answers that one to two hours is sufficient for this procedure. However, 3-4 days of post-procedure observation is necessary, while you are based at the hospital. Your doctors will order specialized tests to ascertain the proper function of the valves.
3. What should be done after endobronchial valve placement?
As stated above, experts say, “A hospital stay may make sense after undergoing valve therapy. Lung specialists check the function of the valves and rule out any side effects.”
Once you return home from the procedure, you should know, “If a patient suddenly feels unwell after valve therapy and is acutely short of breath, they should visit their nearest hospital immediately…”
Likewise, we advise patients they should always inform other doctors that they have had the spiration valve procedure.(endobronchial valve placement)
This is precaution is common sense, but might be forgotten, especially in an emergency. For example, in an emergency room situation, inform your treatment team about your valve therapy.
FLASS FAQ’S about Recovery from Spiration Valve Placement
4. Are the valves permanent?
By design, your Spiration Valves will become a permanent part of you. However, be relieved to know your doctor could remove your spiration valves, if necessary for your health and well-being. And you must also realize your doctor will monitor them, and if necessary, adjust them over time.
5. Will the Spiration valves set off security alerts at the airport?
Operation Spiration here at FLASS reassures you that this will not happen. Fear not, the metal detectors.
Operation Spiration: Words of Caution from FLASS:
Operation Spiration is very excited about this procedure. However, we remind you that in our previous blog, we listed details about the complications involved.
Remember that any bronchoscopy brings possible side effects and complications. “Potential complications associated with bronchoscopy and/or valve placement include, but are not limited to:
- COPD exacerbation.
- Additionally, there is the danger of infection in the tissue near the valve.
- There is a risk of local airway swelling, also called, “edema,” at the site of valve implantation.
- And a patient could develop “pneumothorax.” For your information, and according to the Mayo Clinic experts, “A pneumothorax (noo-moe-THOR-aks) is a collapsed lung. A pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between your lung and chest wall. This air pushes on the outside of your lung and makes it collapse.” Also, know that a “pneumothorax can be a complete lung collapse or a collapse of only a portion of the lung.” You can find out more about this condition at this reliable online resource.
- Moreover, in any serious medical procedure involving sedation or anesthesia, there is always the possibility of death.
Operation Spiration Advice
Spiration Therapy Could Put More Life in Your Breath and More Breath in your life. Discuss Options With Your Doctor.
Despite the risks, we typically predict that if you are suffering from severe emphysema, you will feel better very quickly after your spiration therapy. That does not mean we want you to rush into over-exertion from daily activities.
- Your system needs time to acclimate to your new style of inhalation and exhalation. Your lungs need a little time for adjustment. We do not want to see you suffer any obstacles to enjoying your new lease on life. So we don’t want you to “overdo” during recovery.
- Put simply, this means you must be a pro-active patient. Simply, “follow your doctor’s instructions, regarding “plans to rest,” as well as “limiting activity after the procedure.”
After a successful valve spiration (endobronchial valve placement) procedure, “Operation Spiration,” the doctors and staff here at FLASS believe you will feel progressively better over the subsequent month. We will maintain a close watch over your progress.
After all, Dr. Fortune Alabi, our founding physician states, “At FLASS, you are “family.” Just keep in mind that every patient is unique. Some patients require longer than others to receive maximum benefits from this amazing treatment.
Thank you for reading the FLASS blog, and please remember to check out a full description of the details of the spiration therapy procedure at our previously published blog, Valve Therapy, and Spiration Truths.