Health Encyclopedia

Lung surgery

Definition

Lung surgery is any surgical procedure that allows the surgeon to directly affect the lungs. Examples include:

Biopsy of the lung to make a diagnosis
Lung transplantation
Removal of a section of lung because of a tumor or an infection

Alternative Names

Thoracotomy; Lung tissue removal; Pneumonectomy; Lobectomy; Lung biopsy; Thoracoscopy

Description

While the patient is under general anesthesia, an incision is made between the ribs to expose the lung. The doctor will examine the chest cavity and remove diseased lung tissue.

This examination may be performed directly (thoracotomy) or with the aid of a camera (thoracoscopy). A chest tube is inserted to drain air, fluid, and blood out of the chest cavity. Then the ribs and skin are closed.

Indications

Lung surgery may be recommended for the following reasons:

Cancer (such as lung cancer)
Injuries with collapsed lung tissue (atelectasis, pneumothorax, or hemothorax)
Permanently collapsed lung tissue (atelectasis)
Permanently enlarged (dilated) section of lung (lobar emphysema)
Permanently enlarged (dilated) airways (bronchiectasis)
Pockets of infection (lung abscess)
Small areas of long-term infection (such as highly localized pulmonary tuberculosis or mycobacterium)
Tumors (such as solitary pulmonary nodule)

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

Reactions to medications
Problems breathing

Risks for any surgery include the following:

Bleeding
Infection

Additional risks of lung surgery include the following:

Expectations after surgery

The outcome depends on the type and severity of the problem, but many patients recover nicely.

Convalescence

Hospital stay is usually 7 - 10 days. Deep breathing is important to help prevent pneumonia and infection and to re-expand the lung. The chest tube remains in place until the lung has fully expanded.

Pain is managed with medication. Most people recover fully by 1 - 3 months after the operation.

Review Date:5/15/2008
Reviewed By:Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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