Surgical resection of a lung bulla (bullectomy) may be indicated if certain clinical and radiologic findings are present.
Indications for bullectomy:
(1) giant bulla (>= one third of a hemithorax)
(2) bulla associated with significant dyspnea (due to collapse of adjacent lung)
(3) recurrent or persistent pneumothorax
(4) abscess involving the bulla that has failed medical management
(5) suspicion of malignancy in the bulla
(6) massive hemoptysis associated with the bulla
Smoking cessation is important to avoid further deterioration in pulmonary function.
Resection of a giant bulla does not affect the size of other bullae.
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Purpose: To determine if a lung bulla should be resected in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Specialty: Pulmonology
Objective: options, selection
ICD-10: J43,
