Does a pulmonary bulla require surgical removal?

　　Pulmonary bulla, also known as pulmonary bullae, is a lung disease. Generally speaking, if the pulmonary bulla is small in size and no discomfort symptoms occur, surgical removal usually is not required. However, if the pulmonary bulla is large in size and symptoms such as shortness of breath occur, surgical removal may be necessary. Detailed explanations are as follows:

　　If the pulmonary bulla is small and the patient does not experience discomfort symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, special treatment generally is not needed, and surgery is certainly unnecessary. At this time, it is recommended that the patient continue monitoring and avoid strenuous exercise and severe coughing. Some pulmonary bullae are congenital, typically without obvious clinical symptoms and with minimal impact on the body, so surgery is unnecessary.

　　If the patient's pulmonary bulla is large in size and symptoms such as pneumothorax, hemoptysis, chest pain, and difficulty breathing appear, timely surgical treatment is usually required. Surgery can remove the diseased pulmonary bulla, restore the expansion of the compressed lung tissue, increase tidal volume, and improve respiratory function. For asymptomatic pulmonary bullae complicated by recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, surgical removal may also be considered. Surgery can reduce the incidence of pneumothorax and improve the patient's quality of life. Pulmonary bulla surgery usually employs minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery, which has advantages such as minimal trauma and rapid recovery. Surgical options include pulmonary wedge resection and pulmonary ligation, but the specific choice depends on the patient's condition and surgical indications.

　　After surgery, patients are advised to avoid strenuous physical activity and intense coughing to prevent rupture or recurrence of the pulmonary bulla. Regular follow-up visits at the hospital are recommended so that doctors can monitor recovery progress and provide timely guidance and treatment.