Lobular emphysema is the only congenital disease among other types of pulmonary emphysema. Every year, many patients with this diagnosis turn to Israeli clinics. The country's popularity is explained by the high qualifications and experience of doctors, the effectiveness of the therapy provided, which in most cases eliminates symptoms, ensures a favorable prognosis, and allows for quick recovery. Treatment of lobular emphysema in Israel is carried out according to an individual scheme, including modern minimally invasive surgical methods, physiotherapeutic procedures, and the latest medications.
The competent development of a therapeutic program, the choice of the method of surgical intervention, and the most effective medications require comprehensive diagnostic examination. Israel ranks first in the world in terms of equipping medical centers with high-tech equipment, allowing for the rapid acquisition of necessary indicators. Feedback from parents of patients indicates that all types of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures are conducted in an organized manner, in comfortable conditions for the child. It is noted that the price determined after the treatment is assigned is significantly lower than in other popular countries.
Treatment Methods for the Disease
Lobular emphysema is a chronic lung disease that develops as a result of excessive air filling the alveoli, leading to the expansion of lung tissues and an increase in the affected lobe. According to statistics, this congenital pathology is diagnosed in 1 out of 100,000 newborns, more often in boys.
For many years, specialists considered this form of pulmonary emphysema as a disorder arising from the difficulty of air passing through the conducting bronchus. However, it is now believed that the causes of the disease lie in the developmental abnormalities of the respiratory organs during the embryonic period. Due to the hypoplasia of the cartilage, the bronchi collapse during exhalation, and the air trapped in the alveoli causes their expansion and overstretching of the lung lobe. The development of the disease is also facilitated by partial bronchial obstruction, mucosal hypertrophy, bronchial compression by tumours, and congenital aplasia of the smooth muscles of the bronchioles.
Various types of lobular emphysema are distinguished:
- decompensated — clinical signs appear in the first days of life and include shortness of breath, cyanosis, tachycardia, loss of consciousness, asphyxia;
- subcompensated — during the first year of life, the child develops shortness of breath, and the patient is prone to infectious-inflammatory lung diseases;
- decompensated — identified in school-aged patients, often incidentally, characterized by dry cough, frequent and severe ARVI, chronic bronchitis and pneumonia, and chest deformities.
Treatment of the disease involves the surgical removal of a segment or lobe of the lung. In cases of decompensated lobular emphysema, urgent surgical intervention is indicated; in other cases, the surgery is performed on a planned basis. During the preoperative preparation, medication therapy is conducted, and courses of physiotherapy are prescribed.
Surgical Treatment
In Israeli clinics, thoracic surgical operations are performed using minimally invasive thoracoscopic and open thoracotomy methods.
- Segmentectomy of the lung — excision of a fragment of lung tissue followed by washing of the pleural cavity and ligation of veins.
- Lobectomy — resection of a lobe of the lung, isolated after thoracotomy and opening of the pleural cavity. At the final stage of the operation, the lung is expanded.
Patients with chest deformities have the developed disorders corrected during the lung resection operation. The following types of surgical interventions are used for this:
- Thoracoplasty — surgical reconstruction of congenital deformities of the chest wall, ensuring an increase in the pleural cavity, elimination of hypoxia, gas exchange disorders, and respiratory function.
- Closure of the patent ductus arteriosus — surgical elimination of the unclosed connection between the pulmonary artery and aorta performed via a transthoracic approach.
Medication Treatment
Before the surgical intervention, the patient is prescribed the following medications:
- cardiovascular medications;
- steroid hormones;
- broad-spectrum antibiotics;
- bronchodilators;
- vitamins.
Physiotherapeutic Treatment
In the preoperative period, the patient is also prescribed courses of physiotherapeutic procedures.
- Oxygen barotherapy (oxygen therapy) — inhalation of air with a high oxygen content promotes blood oxygenation. This has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, activates metabolism, and accelerates regeneration processes.
- Alkaline inhalations — inhalations using alkaline mineral waters and concentrated soda solution stimulate the patient’s productive cough, facilitate sputum discharge, and reduce swelling of the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and bronchi.
- Percussion massage of the sternum — therapeutic massage of the chest surface eases breathing, stimulates blood circulation in this area, and increases muscle tone.
- Lobectomy. Thoracic Surgery in Israel
Methods of Diagnosing the Disease
The necessary consultations with doctors and examinations are organized and carried out in medical centers in Israel over approximately three days.
Upon arrival in the country, the patient visits a consultation with a leading pediatric pulmonologist. During the appointment, the doctor reviews the existing results of previous studies and conclusions from specialists, and collects family history. After a physical examination, necessary additional examinations are prescribed.
The following procedures are performed:
- X-ray examination of the lungs (mandatory initial examination);
- computed tomography (CT of the lungs is performed for a deeper study of the structural composition of the organ and identification of pathological changes);
- bronchography;
- bronchoscopy (endoscopic method of examining the bronchi);
- angiography (method of X-ray examination of the pulmonary vessels);
- spirometry;
- general and biochemical blood and urine tests.
A council consisting of a pediatric pulmonologist and narrow-profile specialists reviews the obtained results and, based on them, makes a final diagnosis and prescribes treatment.
- Computed Tomography
- X-ray Examination
How Much Does Treatment Cost
The cost of therapy is of great importance for medical tourists. Treatment in Israeli clinics costs, on average, 30-50% less than in Western European countries and the USA.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- High professionalism of doctors.
- Ultra-modern medical equipment.
- Use of innovative treatment methods.
- Multidisciplinary approach to the treatment process.
- Affordable prices.
Timely seeking medical help and undergoing adequate therapy will ensure recovery and full rehabilitation of the child. Do not waste time, contact the clinic and start treatment.