Pulmonary lobectomy
| Normal anatomy |
|
The lungs are comprised of lobes. The right lung has a superior
lobe, middle lobe and inferior lobe. The left lung has a superior
and inferior lobe.
|
| Procedure |
|
If a cancer or lesion is within a lobe of the lung, removal of
the involved lobe is indicated. Under general anesthesia with the
patient deep asleep and pain free, an incision is made between the
ribs to expose the lung. The chest cavity is examined and diseased
lung tissue is removed. A drainage tube (chest tube) is inserted to
drain air, fluid, and blood out of the chest cavity, and the ribs
and skin are closed.
|
| Aftercare |
|
Hospital stay is usually 7 - 10 days. Deep breathing is
important to help prevent pneumonia and infection, and re-expand
the lung. The chest tube remains in place until the lung has fully
re-expanded. Pain is managed with medications. The patient recovers
fully in 1 - 3 months after the operation.
|
Review Date: 6/8/2008
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief; Associate Professor
of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts
General Hospital.
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