Side Effects of Bilobectomy

A lobectomy is the surgical removal of a lobe from any diseased organ in the body, including the lungs, thyroid or brain. The lungs have five lobes, three on the right and two on the left, and sometimes the removal of two lobes, called a bilobectomy, might be necessary. Though serious illness precipitates this type of surgery, complications are minimal.

Common Side Effects

• It's normal to be in some pain following surgery. Your doctor will prescribe medication to manage your discomfort after a bilobectomy. You will also be limited in your range of motion in the days following surgery. Your strength and motion will return as you gradually return to your daily activities.

Pulmonary Complications

• The most common pulmonary complications following this surgery include a collapsed lung (atelectasis), pneumonia, accumulation of pus (empyema) and air leakage.

Cardiovascular

• Cardiovascular complications include irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and destruction of heart tissue (myocardial infarction). Some bleeding in the lungs is known to occur following surgery.

Infection

• Some patients experience wound infections after a lobectomy. In one study that looked at 55 patients over a two-year period, only eight people had a post-operative infection.

Hemoptysis

• Coughing up blood can occur in unusual circumstances after a bilobectomy. It is possible for blood flow to the lungs to be compromised in the years following surgery.