Standard treatment includes medicine, such as inhaled bronchodilators, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Lung transplants and other surgical procedures are an option for only a very small number of patients with advanced lung problems. In the 1990s, UPMC pioneered lung volume reduction surgery, in which surgeons remove the diseased part of the lung to allow the healthier part to inflate. By comparison, the endobronchial valve procedure is minimally invasive. The procedure doesn’t require any incisions or cutting. Instead, a medical team inserts tiny valves into the airway. When the patient breathes in, the valves close, stopping air from entering the damaged part of the lungs. During exhalation, the valves open, allowing trapped air out. Endobronchial valves are designed to be permanent, but can be removed if needed. They also decrease the volume of the diseased part of the lung, according to Dr. Sciurba. “The better quality section of the lung is allowed to expand and function better. For some patients, that will really improve their quality of life,” he says. Editor's Note: This article was originally published on January 8, 2019, and was last reviewed on June 22, 2023.