Ten surgeries have been performed on 8 patients for the relief of symptoms due to bullous disease. Closed intubation drainage of the bullae was used in all patients under local anesthesia. The technique, initially devised by Monaldi for the treatment of intrapulmonary tuberculous abscesses was modified. Symptomatic improvement and total collapse of the bullae was reported by 9 of the 10 procedures. The technique described provides a simple method for decompressing bullae by means of a minimally invasive surgical procedure. It has proved a suitable approach for all but those with the poorest lung function and is now the author's treatment of choice. Techniques using intracavitary intubation have potential advantages: no lung tissue is removed, in addition, the limited incision and a local anesthesia needed for the procedure are better tolerated by patients with poor lung function.

Keywords: pulmonary emphysema; drainage; lung surgery