Changes in pulmonary function after bullectomy

The results of changes in pulmonary function after bullectomy are reported in fifteen patients, eleven of whom had bronchospirometry. Changes toward normal occurred after operation; however, these were slight except when the bullae occupied most of a hemithorax, and even in these patients not all tests showed improvement. This is in contrast to the consistent improvement in dyspnea observed in patients with significant symptoms prior to operation. Postoperatively, maximum static negative intrathoracic pressure increased, the elastic work of breathing increased and the nonelastic component decreased, residual volume decreased, forced flow rates and seven minute nitrogen washouts returned toward normal, and airway resistance decreased when it was elevated preoperatively.