Why do blebs form on lungs?
Why do blebs form on lungs?
Blebs are thought to occur as a result of subpleural alveolar rupture, due to overload of the elastic fibers. Pulmonary bullae are, like blebs, cystic air spaces that have an imperceptible wall (less than 1 mm).
Can blebs come back after surgery?
The recurrence rate after the VATS operation is reported to be high, between 13.7% and 20%, due to newly formed blebs or bullae unidentified during operation. It is more frequent than in thoracotomy cases (6.8%).
Do lung blebs go away?
Normally, the lungs heal themselves, and there is no need for intervention. Most of the recommendations I have read suggest considering surgery for people who have recurrences of this condition.
How do you treat lung blebs?
Patients with recurrent or persistent spontaneous pneumothorax are treated thoracoscopically. Those with blebs or small bullae are generally managed by stapler resection of the lesions.
How do you fix lung blebs?
The operation for bleb resection can be done via mini-thoracotomy or thoracoscopy. The procedure is performed with general anesthesia using a special endotracheal tube that allows intentional collapse of the lung which is operated on. The procedure is performed through a series of small incisions.
Are blebs lung disease?
Blebs: Small air blisters that can sometimes burst and allow air to leak into the space that surrounds the lungs. Lung disease: Damaged lung tissue is more likely to collapse and can be caused by many types of underlying diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and pneumonia.
How long does it take for a pulmonary bleb resection?
Resection of pulmonary blebs and pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax Over a 20-year period, 83 patients underwent operative pleurodesis with resection of pulmonary blebs for spontaneous pneumothorax. Follow-up for all patients was between 5 and 25 years, with a mean of 9.1 years.
How is the bleb removed from a lung?
The camera incision is created first, and the thoracoscope (camera) is inserted for inspection of the chest. The bleb is dissected, stapled, and the lung tissue is removed from the chest in a specimen bag, allowing more room for the remaining healthy lung to expand.
How is bleb resection done in emphysema patients?
Patients who have underlying emphysema have an epidural catheter placed before surgery and sometimes during the procedure. The operation for bleb resection can be done via mini-thoracotomy or thoracoscopy.
Where are pulmonary blebs located in the body?
A pulmonary bleb is a small collection of air between the lung and the outer surface of the lung (visceral pleura) usually found in the upper lobe of the lung. When a bleb ruptures the air escapes into the chest cavity causing a pneumothorax (air between the lung and chest cavity) which can result in a collapsed lung.
