N
The Daily Insight

What is a bleb resection

Author

Andrew Vasquez

Updated on May 02, 2026

The bleb is dissected, stapled, and the lung tissue is removed from the chest in a specimen bag, allowing more room for the remaining healthy lung to expand.

What is a bleb?

In medicine, a bleb is a blister (often hemispherical) filled with serous fluid. Blebs can form in a number of tissues by different pathologies, including frostbite. In pathology pulmonary blebs are small subpleural thin-walled air-containing spaces, not larger than 1-2 cm in diameter.

Do lung blebs heal?

Normally, the lungs heal themselves, and there is no need for intervention. Most of the recommendations I have read suggest considering surgery for people who have recurrences of this condition.

Why do blebs form on lungs?

Blebs may be present on an individual’s lung (or lungs) for a long time before they rupture. Many things can cause a bleb to rupture, such as changes in air pressure or a very sudden deep breath.

How common are blebs?

Conclusion: Blebs were identified thoracoscopically in 6% of young healthy adults with no underlying lung disease.

Are blebs normal?

Blebs and bullae may be related to an underlying disease process such as emphysema / chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but they (blebs in particular) may also be found in young, healthy people with no other medical issues.

How do you get blebs?

Milk blebs are typically due to an improper latch. A baby’s sucking may be too shallow, causing excess pressure on a point of the breast. Feeding at an unusual angle can also cause milk blebs. The term “blister” when referred to milk blisters can be misleading.

What does a bleb feel like?

Milk blebs or blisters usually look like a tiny white or yellow spot about the size of a pin-head on your nipple, and often resemble a whitehead pimple. The skin surrounding a milk bleb may be red and inflamed, and you may feel pain while nursing.

Does smoking cause blebs?

Whether primary or secondary pneumothorax, smoking increases the likelihood of bleb rupture and recurrence, and it does so in a predictable, dose-related manner. Relative risk of bleb rupture and recurrence rises by up to a factor of 20.

How do you get rid of lung blebs?

The operation for bleb resection can be done via mini-thoracotomy or thoracoscopy. The procedure is performed with general anesthesia using a special endotracheal tube that allows intentional collapse of the lung which is operated on. The procedure is performed through a series of small incisions.

Article first time published on

Can you fly with a lung bleb?

if the lung is fully inflated 14 days after a recent traumatic pneumothorax, flight is considered safe. 13 Pneumothorax treated with pleurodesis is very unlikely to recur but travel should be delayed 6 weeks after resolution of a spontaneous pneumothorax treated conservatively.

Which situation will happen when you have emphysema?

In emphysema, the inner walls of the lungs’ air sacs (alveoli) are damaged, causing them to eventually rupture. This creates one larger air space instead of many small ones and reduces the surface area available for gas exchange. Emphysema is a lung condition that causes shortness of breath.

What is a large blister called?

A larger blister is called a bulla. In many cases, vesicles break easily and release their fluid onto the skin.

Can your lung collapse from smoking?

This can result from air pressure changes such as when scuba diving or traveling to a high altitude. Tall, thin people and smokers are more at risk for a collapsed lung. Lung diseases can also increase the chance of getting a collapsed lung.

Can you smoke after your lung collapses?

These help expand your lungs and dialate your air sacs. This will help prevent pneumonia. If you smoke, you should stop smoking.

What causes a blister on your breast?

You can get blisters if you use breast shells or nipple shields that constantly rub against your nipple, areola, or the skin on your breast. Improperly fitting nursing bra. If your bra is too big, it could rub against your skin. If it’s too tight, it could put excessive pressure on your breast tissue.

Can stress cause a pneumothorax?

Pneumothorax patients may be included in a high-risk group of severe stress, particularly elderly patients, who can be more fragile and therefore more at risk from a pneumothorax or its related treatment. Pneumothorax is an irritating disease with a high recurrence rate that may require frequent ED visits.

What is the most common cause of spontaneous pneumothorax?

  • Chest injury. Any blunt or penetrating injury to your chest can cause lung collapse. …
  • Lung disease. Damaged lung tissue is more likely to collapse. …
  • Ruptured air blisters. Small air blisters (blebs) can develop on the top of the lungs. …
  • Mechanical ventilation.

How do you sleep with a collapsed lung?

Get plenty of rest and sleep. You may feel weak and tired for a while, but your energy level will improve with time. Hold a pillow against your chest when you cough or take deep breaths. This will support your chest and decrease your pain.

Does everyone have blebs on their lungs?

Blebs are a very common finding in otherwise normal individuals. They are often found in young patients. They are more common in thin patients and in cigarette smokers 1.

How long can you last with a collapsed lung?

Recovery from a collapsed lung generally takes about one to two weeks. Most people can return to full activity upon clearance by the doctor.

Who is at risk for spontaneous pneumothorax?

In most cases of spontaneous pneumothorax, the cause is unknown. Tall and thin adolescent males are typically at greatest risk, but females can also have this condition. Other risk factors include connective tissue disorders, smoking, and activities such as scuba diving, high altitudes and flying.

What are 3 causes of emphysema?

  • Smoking (the main cause)
  • Exposure to air pollution, such as chemical fumes, dust, and other substances.
  • Irritating fumes and dusts at work.
  • A rare, inherited form of the disease called alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency-related pulmonary emphysema or early onset pulmonary emphysema.

Do all smokers get emphysema?

Studies show that 15 to 20 percent of all smokers will develop emphysema in their lifetime. Emphysema is very rare in young people under 40 but the incidence of emphysema steadily increases with age. Women are just as likely to develop the disease as men but more women tend to die from emphysema.

Why is oxygen bad for emphysema?

After this paradoxical shift, treating a chronic emphysema patient with oxygen increased the blood oxygen levels too rapidly. This may result in knocking out his hypoxic drive, causing further depression of the respiratory drive.

Should I ever pop a blister?

Ideally, nothing. Blisters take roughly 7-10 days to heal and usually leave no scar. However, they can become infected if exposed to bacteria. If you don’t pop a blister, it remains a sterile environment, virtually eliminating any risks of infection.

When should I be concerned about a blister?

When should you be concerned about blisters? As discussed earlier, most blisters will begin to heal naturally on their own after a few days with proper care and hygiene. However, it is a concern if the blister is painful or becomes infected. Large painful blisters can be drained and treated by a trained professional.

Should a blister be drained?

Drain it. While it’s best to leave blisters alone, sometimes you just need to drain them, especially if they’re very large or in an inconvenient place. Try to avoid draining blisters on your lips or around your mouth, though. This area is hard to keep covered and sterile.

Can you pop a lung from coughing?

While it is physically impossible to cough up a lung, you can cough out a lung. A 2012 article in the New England Medical Journal describes a woman coughing so hard that her lung was pushed between two of her ribs.

What is a Hydropneumothorax?

Hydropneumothorax is the abnormal presence of air and fluid in the pleural space. The knowledge of hydropneumothorax dates back to the days of ancient Greece when the Hippocratic succussion used to be performed for the diagnosis.

Can lung heal itself?

Your lungs are self-cleaning, which means they will gradually heal and regenerate on their own after you quit smoking. However, there are certain lifestyle behaviors you can practice to try and accelerate the rate at which your lungs heal.