Lung Surgery
Lung surgery, also known as thoracic surgery, involves procedures performed on the lungs or other structures within the thoracic cavity. Lung surgery can be conducted for various reasons, including treating lung cancer, removing lung infections, managing lung diseases like emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis, and addressing complications such as collapsed lung (pneumothorax) or excess fluid accumulation (pleural effusion).
Types of Lung Surgery:
Lobectomy: Removal of a lobe of the lung. The lungs have five lobes—three in the right lung and two in the left lung. Lobectomy is often performed to treat lung cancer localized to a single lobe.
Pneumonectomy: Removal of an entire lung. This surgery may be necessary if one lung is severely damaged due to disease or trauma, or if there is extensive lung cancer.
Wedge Resection: Removal of a small, wedge-shaped portion of lung tissue. It’s often used to remove small tumors or localized areas of infection.
Segmentectomy: Removal of a segment of lung tissue. This is a more conservative approach than lobectomy and may be used when the tumor is smaller and confined to a specific segment of the lung.
Open Thoracotomy: Traditional surgery involving a larger incision in the chest wall. It may be necessary for more extensive lung surgeries or when VATS is not suitable.
Recovery and Risks:
Patients undergoing lung surgery typically undergo preoperative evaluations to assess their lung function, overall health, and suitability for surgery.
Smoking cessation and optimization of other health conditions are often recommended to minimize surgical risks and enhance recovery.
Lung surgery plays a crucial role in the treatment and management of various lung conditions, and advancements in surgical techniques have made many procedures safer and less invasive, leading to better outcomes for patients. However, like any surgical procedure, lung surgery requires careful consideration and thorough evaluation by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.
