COPD BALLOON TREATMENT
COPD Balloon Treatment (Balloon Bronchoplasty)
Author and medical reviewer: Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca, Pulmonologist · Last updated: 25 September 2026
SHORT ANSWER
COPD balloon treatment is a treatment that aims to open narrowed airways. It is most often considered for COPD in which cough and phlegm predominate (chronic bronchitis). It may be particularly suitable for patients whose shortness of breath does not go away despite medicines. While you are asleep, a tube with a camera at its tip (bronchoscope) is passed through your mouth into your airways. A special mesh-covered balloon is used. The balloon clears away the thickened tissue and mucus that narrow the airway. No incision is made and no device is left in the body. Patients usually go home within 1–2 days.
The procedure step by step: animation with English narration and subtitles (about 3 minutes)
The animation shows the procedure in 11 steps. A tube with a camera at its tip (bronchoscope) is moved forward into the airway. A mesh-covered balloon is inflated and deflated, and the airway is cleared. It also includes the camera view the doctor sees on the screen. The narration is in English; the subtitles are in the language of this page (switch them on and off with CC). Press the ▶ button to play.
What is COPD balloon treatment?
In one type of COPD, cough and phlegm predominate (chronic bronchitis). In these patients, the inner lining of the airways thickens and fills with sticky mucus. Bronchodilator medicines relax the airways, but they cannot always overcome this thickening.
Balloon treatment is aimed at precisely this problem. A small balloon covered with a special mesh is used. The balloon is inflated and deflated several times in the narrowed airways. In this way, the thickened tissue and mucus on the inner lining of the airway are cleared away. The aim is to make breathing easier by widening the airway.
The balloon used in this treatment (Karakoca Resector Balloon) was developed by Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca. The balloon is manufactured in Istanbul and is for single use. Details: Karakoca Resector Balloon.
The 5 questions our patients ask most often
1. How effective is COPD balloon treatment?
The aim of balloon treatment is to make breathing easier by opening narrowed airways. In suitable patients, shortness of breath may decrease and the need for oxygen may fall after treatment. Walking, climbing stairs and everyday tasks may become easier. How much you will benefit depends on the type and stage of your disease. We discuss this together at the consultation. Details: How effective is it?
2. Is COPD balloon treatment life-threatening?
The procedure is carried out in a hospital with intensive care support. It is performed under general anaesthesia by an experienced team. As with any procedure under general anaesthesia, the risk is not zero. For this reason, a heart check and a pre-anaesthetic assessment are carried out before the procedure. Your oxygen level, pulse and blood pressure are monitored during and after the procedure. Patients usually go home within 1–2 days. This may take longer depending on your general condition. The risk may be higher in patients whose general condition is very poor. For these patients, the decision is made together at the consultation. Details: Is it safe?
3. Can the problem come back after the procedure?
Balloon treatment aims to open narrowed airways. However, COPD is a long-term disease. How long the relief lasts varies from person to person. Stopping smoking helps this relief to last longer. Having your flu and pneumococcal vaccines and using your medicines regularly also help. We monitor your condition together at the follow-up visits at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months. As no device is left in the body, the procedure can be repeated if necessary.
4. How much does COPD balloon treatment cost?
The cost is not the same for everyone. It varies depending on how many areas are treated. How many days you stay in hospital and your general health also affect the cost. For this reason, we do not list prices on our website. After your consultation and tests, we tell you the cost clearly. To book an appointment, call us or write to us on WhatsApp.
5. Does my health insurance cover COPD balloon treatment?
This depends on your health insurance and on what your policy covers. If your policy covers this treatment, you may be able to claim back the amount you paid from your insurance company. We recommend that you ask your insurance company before the procedure. We prepare the reports and documents needed for insurance. Details: Cost and insurance
Who is it suitable for?
Balloon treatment is most often considered in the following patients:
- Patients who still have shortness of breath, cough and phlegm even though they use their medicines regularly,
- Patients with advanced COPD in which cough and phlegm predominate (chronic bronchitis type),
- Patients who use oxygen or a breathing machine at home (using oxygen is not a barrier),
- Older patients (age alone is not a barrier).
In COPD in which the air sacs are damaged (emphysema), the main problem is air building up in the damaged air sacs. A different treatment is considered for these patients. For example, a small valve may be placed in the lung (Karakoca Valve). We decide together which method is suitable for you. This requires a consultation, a breathing test and a chest CT scan. Details: Who is it for?
Features of balloon treatment
- No incision: The procedure is done through the mouth. There is no skin incision, no stitches and no chest tube.
- No device left in the body: The balloon is removed at the end of the procedure.
- Short hospital stay: Patients usually go home within 1–2 days. This may take longer depending on your general condition.
- Alongside medicines: Your bronchodilator medicines, oxygen and exercises continue. The balloon is aimed at the narrowing that medicines cannot open.
- Can be repeated if necessary: As no device is left in the body, the procedure can be repeated if this is found to be necessary at follow-up visits.
How is it done? The process step by step
- Consultation (Kavacık, Beykoz): Your symptoms and medicines are reviewed. A breathing test (lung function test), a chest CT scan and an oxygen measurement are carried out. A heart check is also carried out if necessary. If you are coming from outside Istanbul, an online preliminary consultation can be held first.
- Planning: Your treatment plan and the cost are explained to you clearly. A pre-anaesthetic assessment and blood tests are carried out.
- Procedure: It is performed at the partner hospital while you are asleep (general anaesthesia) and takes about 1 hour.
- Observation and discharge: Your oxygen level and breathing are monitored. Patients usually go home within 1–2 days.
- Follow-up visits: You come for follow-up visits at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months. For patients coming from outside Istanbul, follow-up can be done online.
Details: How is it done?
The doctor who developed the method
Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca has been a pulmonologist since 1996. He has been performing bronchoscopic treatments for about 30 years. He developed COPD balloon treatment and the Karakoca Valve used for emphysema. To date, he has performed COPD balloon treatment on more than 3,500 patients and bronchoscopic treatment on more than 20,000 patients. Details: Biography · Scientific studies
PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
Is it suitable for you?
Book an appointment and bring your breathing test and chest CT scan reports. We decide together at the consultation. If you are coming from outside Istanbul, an online preliminary consultation can be held first.
Please bring: your breathing test, your chest CT scan report and images (CD/USB), your list of medicines and, if you have one, your blood gas test result.
RELATED PAGES
SCIENTIFIC STUDIES
DETAILED PAGES
Explore COPD balloon treatment step by step
Consultation, the day of the procedure, 1–2 days in hospital and follow-up visits.
Is it life-threatening? The precautions taken and what you need to know after the procedure.
The special mesh-covered balloon designed by the doctor who developed the method.
HAVE A QUESTION?
Frequently asked questions
The questions our patients and their relatives ask most often, with answers. We discuss questions about your own situation together at the consultation.
APPOINTMENT
Book an appointment for a preliminary assessment
To find out whether it is suitable for you, book an appointment for a consultation. Bring your latest breathing test, your chest CT scan report and the images (CD/USB) with you. Also bring your list of medicines and, if you have one, your blood gas test result.
info@yalcinkarakoca.com · Rüzgarlıbahçe Mah. Cumhuriyet Cad. Hasoğlu Plaza Kat:3, Kavacık / Beykoz, İstanbul
This page is for general information purposes. It does not replace a medical examination or diagnosis. Treatment decisions are made during an examination, on an individual basis. In an emergency, call 112.
Medical content review: Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca, Pulmonologist · Last updated: 25 September 2026