Endobronchial treatment of emphysema with one-way valves.

Numerous endoscopic procedures have recently been studied and progressively introduced in clinical practice to improve mechanics and function in patients who have emphysema. Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with one-way endobronchial valves facilitates deflation of the most overinflated emphysematous parts of the lung. These valves have been designed to control and redirect airflow by preventing air from entering the target parenchymal area but allowing air and mucus to exit. The preliminary results have shown that this procedure is safe and effective at medium term in a selected group of patients.