A lung pneumonectomy is a treatment option for severe conditions like lung cancer, invasive tumors, or in some cases even tuberculosis.
What is a pneumonectomy?
A pneumonectomy is a procedure that is used to remove an entire lung. Removing a diseased lung can prevent disease from getting worse, prevent spreading to other organs, and provide the best chance of curing conditions like lung cancer.
How do I know if I need a pneumonectomy?
Recommendation for performing a lobectomy depend on the size, spread, and severity of the tumor.
Tests that will confirm that the patient is a candidate for the procedure are:
- Imaging tests (X-ray)
- PET-CT scans (computerized tomography)
- Tissue samples, biopsy
- Microscopic evidence, lung cancer cells found in sputum from coughing
Pneumonectomy Surgery? How is it performed?
The removal of a lung using a thoracotomy.
Open (Thoracotomy) Pneumonectomy
To remove an entire lung, open-chest surgery is necessary. A thoracotomy is performed to allow the surgeon to have open access to the organ the chest (thoracic) cavity. The cut (or incision) is about 10-15cm that extends from the patient’s side from over the ribs, under the arm, and up the back. This will allow the surgeon to have a clear view of the lungs to perform surgery.
Risk of surgery:
- Infection
- Stroke
- Heart Attack
- Excessive bleeding
Risks of a thoracotomy pneumonectomy:
A thoracotomy pneumonectomy is a serious procedure, and is generally safe but not without its own risks. The risks of a thoracatomy are mostly related to the incision itself. Management of both infection and pain of the incision are serious concerns during and after surgery.
This surgery can be recommended for:
- Mediastinal tumors (within the chest)
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Small tumors close to major blood vessels
- Removal of large tumors
- Conditions of existing scar tissue damage
- Lymph nodes found close to vital organs
Goals of pneumonectomy:
- Stop the spread of disease or cancerous growth
- Improve breathing in long-term recovery
- Increase survival of patients invasive malignant cancers
