Surgically Correctable Acquired Cystic Disease of the Lung as Seen in Flying Personnel

1. Pulmonary emphysema has been discussed, and cases operated on for recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax with findings of blebs or localized emphysematous changes have been presented. 2. Nine additional cases which were operated on because of the preoperative diagnosis of bullous emphysema are presented. 3. Localized bullous emphysema is found in the absence of generalized emphysema and appears to be a surgically correctable condition. 4. The added risks of flying with respect to communicating or noncommunicating emphysematous air spaces and the plan of treatment at the USAF Hospital Lackland are presented. 5. This experience leads the authors to wonder whether early surgery might prevent more extensive and diffuse emphysematous changes.