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Advanced Bullectomy Surgery

Bullectomy surgery removes oversized air-filled sacs in the lungs called bullae. These unusual air spaces can expand to 20 centimetres across and put harmful pressure on healthy lung tissue. 

Patients need this surgery after these air sacs create serious breathing difficulties. Surgeons target bullae bigger than 1 centimetre and perform the procedure to prevent lung collapse. 

The surgery requires careful post-operative care, but provides the most important relief for patients whose large bullae don't respond well to standard treatments.

Why CARE Group Hospitals is Your Top Choice for Bullectomy Surgery in Hyderabad

CARE Hospitals excels in bullectomy surgery through:

  • A skilled pulmonology team backed by expert thoracic surgeons
  • Complete evaluation systems that assess respiratory conditions
  • Quick diagnosis paired with proven treatment strategies

Best Bullectomy Surgery Doctors in India

State-of-the-art Surgical Innovations at CARE Hospitals

CARE Hospitals provides advanced surgical options for bullectomy:

  • Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) with small 3-4 cm incisions for minimal invasion
  • Traditional thoracotomy approach using 15-20 cm incisions for complex cases

Indications for Bullectomy Surgery

CARE's bullectomy treatment addresses:

  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients with large bullae
  • Recurring lung collapse (pneumothorax) caused by ruptured bullae
  • Patients struggling with breathing due to compressed healthy lung tissue
  • Additional conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Marfan Syndrome, and Sarcoidosis

Types of Bullectomy procedures

CARE's surgical options include:

  • VATS Stapling that removes bullae through minimal invasion
  • Laser Bullectomy for precise tissue removal
  • Robotic-assisted bullectomy that offers superior surgical control
  • Open Bullectomy as a traditional solution for complex cases

Pre-surgery Preparation

A bullectomy needs a complete medical check-up. Your doctor will run several tests that include chest CT scans, X-rays, and lung function tests to see if you qualify.

  • You must quit smoking before surgery and avoid eating for 8 hours before the procedure as suggested by the surgeon and surgical team. 
  • Your doctor might ask you to stop blood thinners a few days before the procedure. 
  • A shower with antibacterial soap reduces your infection risk.

Bullectomy Surgical Procedure

Doctors use two main approaches:

  • Thoracotomy: Traditional 15-20cm incision
  • Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): Minimally invasive with 3-4cm incisions

The surgeon removes the bullae through stapling techniques and sometimes adds reinforcement to prevent air leaks.

Post-surgery Recovery

You will likely stay in the hospital for 3-7 days. The chest tubes stay until the air leaks heal. Your full recovery might take a few weeks as you slowly return to your normal activities. Remember to avoid air travel for 3 months after surgery.

Risks and Complications

Air leaks last longer in most patients. Other risks include: 

  • Subcutaneous emphysema 
  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Heart rhythm problems 

Benefits of Bullectomy Surgery

  • Removing these bullae helps patients breathe easier by freeing up compressed healthy lung tissue. 
  • You will handle exercise better and feel less short of breath. 

Insurance Assistance for Bullectomy Surgery

Insurance companies usually cover bullectomy when giant bullous emphysema causes major breathing problems (FEV1 less than 50% predicted).

Second Opinion for Bullectomy Surgery

Meeting with several thoracic surgeons helps you learn about your specific case and treatment choices.

Conclusion

Bullectomy surgery gives real hope to patients who struggle with giant bullae in their lungs. The procedure removes harmful air sacs and makes healthy lung tissue work properly again. Patients breathe better and can exercise more easily for several years after their surgery.

CARE Hospitals excels at this specialised procedure in Hyderabad. Their skilled team uses advanced VATS techniques that result in smaller scars and faster recovery. Complex cases may still need traditional approaches, which the hospital provides expertly.

CARE Hospitals gives detailed evaluations, expert surgical care, and continuous support throughout the process. This collaborative approach helps achieve the best outcome for each patient who has undergone this life-improving procedure.

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Bullectomy Surgery Hospitals in India

Frequently Asked Questions

Bullectomy surgery removes large air sacs (bullae) from the lungs. These bullae are abnormal spaces bigger than 1 centimetre that develop when lung air sacs break down. Doctors remove these bullae to help healthy lung tissue function better.

Doctors suggest a bullectomy to patients with:

  • Severe breathing problems from giant bullae
  • Repeated lung collapse (pneumothorax)
  • Lung pain
  • Recurring infections
  • Blood in the cough

The surgery becomes essential if bullae take up more than 30% of the lung space.

The best candidates are usually:

  • Younger patients
  • People who have bullae in just one lung area
  • Patients without severe airway blockages
  • Those healthy enough to handle surgery and recovery
  • Non-smokers who take part in pulmonary rehabilitation

Bullectomy has a low complication rate. Studies show that only 1-10% of patients face complications in the rarest cases. Modern techniques like VATS make the procedure even safer.

Patients experience some discomfort after surgery. Pain medications help manage this discomfort, and most patients stop needing pain relief medications as the condition gets better over time.

Surgery time usually ranges from 30 minutes to 80 minutes. The duration depends on the surgical approach, patient’s condition, and case complexity.

VATS makes bullectomy minimally invasive with small incisions (3-4 cm). Traditional open thoracotomy uses larger incisions (15-20 cm) for complex cases.

The possible risks associated with the bullectomy surgery include:

  • Air leaks 
  • Bleeding 
  • Infection
  • Respiratory failure
  • Lung collapse
  • Blood clots
  • Irregular heartbeat

The hospital stay lasts 3-7 days. Doctors remove chest tubes once the air leaks heal, which usually takes about 5 days. Patients need a few weeks to recover fully. They can return to their daily activities step by step but must get their doctor's approval before driving or returning to work.

The benefits last up to five years for most patients. The improvements in lung function reach their peak during the first year and then maintain stability over a period of time based on the condition. Patients who stop smoking show better results than those who keep smoking. In general, patients with bullae in the upper lobes experience the best outcomes.

The surgery requires general anaesthesia. The surgical team uses a double-lumen endotracheal tube that enables single-lung ventilation. This technique allows the surgeons to  operate on one lung while the other lung continues to function. Short-acting anaesthetic agents help patients wake up sooner.

The patients experiencing the following are generally not recommended to undergo the procedure:

  • Experiencing with other serious health problems
  • Patients with pulmonary hypertension
  • Cases with poorly defined bullae on imaging
  • People with FEV1 less than 35%
  • Those with hypercapnia or cor pulmonale

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