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Background The National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) showed a clear survival and quality of life benefit for patients selected for lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). However, long-term outcomes after LVRS are still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate overall mortality and functional durability in this single-institution cohort of patients undergoing LVRS. Methods A single-institution registry identified all patients who had undergone LVRS from January 2006 through August 2017. Records were retrospectively reviewed, and data were collected to include pulmonary functions test values, he University of California, San Diego shortness of breath questionnaire and complication and mortality rate. Results LVRS was performed in 135 patients with a 2.2% 90-day mortality rate (n = 3). Estimated 1-, 2- and 5-year survival was 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88 to 0.97), 0.91 (95% CI, 0.83 to 0.95), and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.57 to 0.81), respectively. Mean improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second% predicted from preoperative baseline at 1 and 2 years was 5.3 (95% CI, 3.1 to 7.4) and 4.3 (95% CI, 1.9 to 6.6), respectively. There was a mean improvement in maximum workload of 5.2 W (95% CI, 0.9 to 9.4) at 1 year. Also, shortness of breath questionnaire scores had a mean decrease of −17.3 points (95% CI, −21.8 to −13) at 6 months and −13.9 points (95% CI, −18.4 to −9.3) at 1 year. Conclusions LVRS is an effective operation with overall improvement in functional status and quality of life in appropriately selected patients.