When do you need surgery for bullae?
Pulmonary bullae are a common lung disease that are usually formed by the rupture and subsequent fusion of alveolar walls. Although some patients may be asymptomatic, in some cases bullae may cause serious complications that require surgery. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed analysis of the indications and related data of bullae surgery.
1. Basic concepts of bullae

Pulmonary bullae refer to the abnormal accumulation of air in the alveoli, forming cystic cavities with a diameter greater than 1 cm. It can be caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, infection, or genetic factors. According to the latest medical research, about 30% of patients with bullae may eventually require surgical treatment.
2. Indications of bullae surgery
According to clinical guidelines and expert consensus, surgical treatment is generally considered for the following conditions:
| Indications | Specific performance | clinical data |
|---|---|---|
| recurrent pneumothorax | 2 or more spontaneous pneumothorax attacks | The incidence rate is about 15-20% |
| giant bullae | Occupies more than 1/3 of the chest cavity on one side | Surgery success rate >90% |
| severe difficulty breathing | affect daily life | FEV1 improvement rate 40-60% |
| co-infection | recurrent lung infections | Antibiotic treatment failure rate is 30% |
| High risk of bullae rupture | Thin wall, multiple large bubbles | Annual rupture risk 5-10% |
3. Selection of surgical methods
Currently commonly used bulla surgeries include:
| surgical method | Indications | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| thoracoscopic surgery | most cases | Less trauma and faster recovery | High technical requirements |
| thoracotomy | Complex or giant bullae | Good visibility and easy operation | More trauma |
| laser treatment | small bullae | minimally invasive | Higher recurrence rate |
4. Surgical risk assessment
A thorough risk assessment is required before surgery:
| risk factors | degree of influence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|
| Age>70 years old | 30% increased risk of complications | Adequate preoperative assessment |
| COPD severe stage | Mortality increased 2-3 times | Control underlying diseases first |
| poor lung function | Difficulty recovering after surgery | Preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation training |
5. Postoperative precautions
Special attention should be paid to the following matters after bullae surgery:
1.Breathing training: Respiratory function exercises should be started as soon as possible after surgery to prevent atelectasis.
2.pain management: Use analgesics rationally to ensure effective coughing and deep breathing.
3.Activity guidance: Gradually increase the amount of activity and avoid strenuous exercise.
4.Regular review: Chest CT needs to be reviewed 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery.
6. Latest research progress
According to recent research published in medical journals:
1. New biomaterial technology for repairing bullae is in the clinical trial stage, with a preliminary success rate of 85%.
2. The artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis system can improve the accuracy of bullae identification to 95%.
3. Minimally invasive surgery combined with targeted drug treatment can reduce the recurrence rate to less than 5%.
7. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions by Patients
Q: Will there be recurrence after bullae surgery?
A: The recurrence rate after standard surgery is about 5-10%, which is related to the control of the underlying lung disease.
Q: How long does the surgery require hospitalization?
A: The hospital stay is usually 3-5 days for thoracoscopic surgery and 7-10 days for thoracotomy surgery.
Q: Can I still exercise normally after surgery?
A: Moderate exercise is possible after recovery is good, but strenuous confrontational exercise should be avoided.
Summary: Whether bullae require surgery depends on many factors. It is recommended that patients make decisions based on their own conditions under the guidance of a professional thoracic surgeon. Early diagnosis and timely intervention can significantly improve prognosis.
check the details
check the details