Effect of Vagotomy on the Breathing Pattern and Exercise Ability in Emphysematous Patients

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Abstract
Potential value of right vagotomy for the relief of breathlessness was explored in 5 patients with emphysema. Two patients had symptomatic improvement, 2 had minor symptomatic improvement and 1 was unchanged. Exercise ventilation was not noticeably depressed by unilateral right vagotomy in the 2 patients investigated fully, but the pattern of breathing was altered. After vagotomy, breathing was deeper and the rise in the frequency of breathing with exercise was depressed. After right vagotomy the response to rebreathing CO2 also consisted of slower deeper breaths. Right vagotomy sometimes appears to remove an influence preventing slow, deep breathing and exacerbating of dyspnea. Results of bilateral pulmonary denervation, attempted in 1 patient, were complicated by the need for left thoracotomy, which removed any possible beneficial effects.

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