Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) as well as bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) provide functional improvements in selected patients with homogenous emphysema and pronounced hyperinflation. A direct comparison of LVRS and BLVR in patients with homogenous emphysema is not available, thus the study will provide important data to guide treatment selection in this patient population.
This is a prospective randomized clinical trial comparing surgical and bronchoscopic lung volume reduction in patients with advanced homogeneous emphysema suitable for both procedures.