Short answer: The scientific journey of COPD balloon treatment began in 2008. The first publication is the technical description of the Karakoca Resector Balloon. Patient series and a COPD pilot study were published after that. The largest of these is the 2018 COPD study of 188 patients. Since 2021, independent European reviews have also mentioned the method.
2008 — First technical description
Karakoca and colleagues described the mesh-covered resector balloon in the journal Ann Thorac Surg. The balloon was used to clear lesions in the airway from the inside (endoluminal resection). This publication is the first record of the device in the medical literature.
2009 — Therapeutic series of 128 procedures
This series was published in the Journal of Bronchology & Interventional Pulmonology. It described procedures performed with the resector balloon in various airway diseases. Safety data were also reported. It was notable that no major complications were seen.
2015 — Pilot study in severe COPD
A pilot study was carried out in 10 patients. The study examined opening the airways with a balloon in severe chronic bronchitis-type COPD. The feasibility of the method and its short-term results were assessed.
2018 — COPD study of 188 patients
This series was published in Medicine (Baltimore). Within 1 month, mean FEV1 rose from 0.77 L to 1.28 L. Oxygen saturation rose from 87% to 94%. The breathlessness score (Borg score) also fell significantly. The patients’ need for oxygen decreased markedly. No procedure-related complications were seen.
2021–2023 — Independent reviews
Bronchoscopic methods for chronic bronchitis were examined in 3 independent reviews. Balloon desobstruction was also discussed among these methods:
- European Respiratory Review (2021)
- Journal of Clinical Medicine (2023)
- Life (2023)
2026 — Current status
To date, Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca has personally treated more than 3,500 patients with this method. He continues to perform it. New publications will be added to this chronology.
What does this mean?
Since 2008, the method has evolved through studies published in international peer-reviewed journals. The treatment is used in patients who have chronic bronchitis-type COPD and are found to be suitable at the consultation. Details: Scientific studies · All publications
References
- Karakoca Y, et al. A new endoluminal resection technique and device: resector balloon. Ann Thorac Surg. 2008;85(2):628-631.
- Karakoca Y, et al. Therapeutic bronchoscopic intervention with resector balloon. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2009;16(2):78-80.
- Karakoca Y, et al. Use of resector balloon desobstruction in patients with severe COPD: a pilot feasibility study. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2015;22(3):209-214.
- Karakoca Y, et al. Follow-up outcomes of COPD patients who underwent dilatation and curettage with the Karakoca resector balloon: a 188-case series over 5 years. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(48):e13400.
- Hartman JE, et al. New bronchoscopic treatment modalities for patients with chronic bronchitis. Eur Respir Rev. 2021;30:200281.
- Mayr AK, Valipour A. Modern bronchoscopic treatment options for patients with chronic bronchitis. J Clin Med. 2023;12(5):1854.
This article is for general information purposes. It does not replace a medical examination and diagnosis. Treatment decisions are made at the consultation, on an individual basis. Medical content review: Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca, Pulmonologist · Last updated: 25 September 2026
