Giant bullous emphysema (GBE), known as 'vanishing lung syndrome', usually 
occurs in association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this 
report, we describe a patient with giant emphysematous bulla occupying 
approximately 95% of the right hemithorax, who had history of repeated attacks 
of acute exacerbation of COPD. About 95% of right pulmonary parenchyma was 
removed. Delightfully, the 5% of residual lung compressed for 4 years gradually 
inflated, and occupied the whole hemithorax. Preoperatively he was functionally 
and clinically severely disabled while improved markedly after bullectomy.