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Lung Surgery Procedures

Deciding to undergo surgery is a difficult thing, which can be made somewhat easier by understanding the various procedures surrounding the operation itself. When it comes to lung surgeries, there are a number of variables that you will have to consider to become properly informed.

  1. Lung Surgery

    • According to information from the University of Southern California, lung surgery is necessary in a number of circumstances. The most common reason for necessitating lung surgery is the discovery of a mass, or tumor (whether benign or malignant), within the lung itself. Other reasons for pursuing lung surgery include situations where the lung has collapsed or where there is fluid surrounding the lungs.

    Types

    • There are five types of lung surgery. These include Pneumonectomy (the removal of an entire lung), a Lobectomy (removal of part of one lung), a Sleeve Lobectomy (removing a cancerous section of the lung while reattaching the remainder), a Wedge Resection (used to remove cancerous tissue where the risk of a Lobectomy is too great), and a Segment Resection (removing a larger portion than during a Wedge Recision, but less than that taken during a full Lobectomy).

    Surgery Procedures

    • During lung surgery, the patient is often positioned on his side with one arm in the air, offering the surgeon access to his ribs and lung. The affected lung will be deflated (intentionally collapsed) and the patient's ribs will be separated, providing for easy access to the organ. The surgery itself will take between two and six hours, with the surgeon making the final decision as to how much of the lung to remove once it is exposed.

    Post Surgery

    • According to the University of Southern California, lung surgery is almost always done on an inpatient basis, which means that you will have to remain in the hospital for some time after the procedure to assess progress and recovery. The general recovery period from the operation is between four to six weeks.

    Rehabilitation

    • Rehab exercises are a commonly prescribed procedure following lung surgery. Breathing exercises are designed to help the patient regain full lung capacity, and are often performed alongside the feedback provided from an incentive spirometer. An incentive spirometer is a device that measures the general breathing capacity of your lungs, allowing the patient to visually see whether his breaths are complete.

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