Discrete bullae are a well-recognized feature in patients with generalized emphysematous lung disease. They result in space occupation, expanding preferrentially at the expense of adjacent lung tissue, which has a more normal compliance.The presence of these bullae may aggravate the dyspnea consequent to generalized disease. We underwent operation for emphysematous lung disease using a modification of a technique first described by Monaldi for the drainage of pulmonary cavities after tuberculous infection.