A
percutaneous single-phase surgical procedure is disclosed for creating a pneumostoma to treat chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. A pneumostomy instrument is introduced percutaneously through the
thoracic wall, parietal membrane, visceral membrane and into the parenchymal tissue of the
lung. The pneumostomy instrument crosses the
pleural cavity between the parietal membrane and visceral membrane there being no
pleurodesis between the membranes prior to passage of the pneumostomy instrument. A pneumoplasty device at the distal end of the pneumostomy instrument displaces and engages the parenchymal tissue of the
lung and the pneumostomy instrument is used to secure the
lung and visceral membrane in contact with the parietal membrane and chest wall. The pneumostomy instrument is left in place while a pneumostoma tract heals and
pleurodesis occurs between the pleural membranes surrounding the pneumostomy instrument.