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    The content on this page is not current guidance and is only for the purposes of the consultation process.

    Endobronchial nerve ablation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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    Interventional procedures consultation document

    Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the name for a group of lung conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The airways in the lungs become narrowed and secrete too much mucus, causing breathing difficulties.

    In this procedure, a bronchoscope (a tube with a camera on the end) is passed through the mouth or nose and into the lungs. A balloon and an electrode are used to destroy (ablate) the nerves on the outside of the airway (endobronchial nerves) using radiofrequency energy, to widen the airway and reduce mucus production. The aim is to improve breathing.

    NICE is looking at endobronchial nerve ablation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

    NICE's interventional procedures advisory committee met to consider the evidence and the opinions of professional experts, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure.

    This document contains the draft guidance for consultation. Your views are welcome, particularly:

    • comments on the draft recommendations

    • information about factual inaccuracies

    • additional relevant evidence, with references if possible.

    NICE is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, eliminating unlawful discrimination and fostering good relations between people with particular protected characteristics and others.

    This is not NICE's final guidance on this procedure. The draft guidance may change after this consultation.

    After consultation ends, the committee will:

    • meet again to consider the consultation comments, review the evidence and make appropriate changes to the draft guidance

    • prepare a second draft, which will go through a resolution process before the final guidance is agreed.

    Please note that we reserve the right to summarise and edit comments received during consultation or not to publish them at all if, in the reasonable opinion of NICE, there are a lot of comments or if publishing the comments would be unlawful or otherwise inappropriate.

    Closing date for comments: 19 August 2021

    Target date for publication of guidance: December 2021