Definition of Lung surgery:

Lung surgery is any surgical procedure that allows the surgeon to directly affect the lungs. Examples include:

• Biopsy of the lung to make a diagnosis
• Lung transplantation
• Removal of a section of lung because of a tumor or an infection

Description:

While the patient is under general anesthesia, an incision is made between the ribs to expose the lung. The doctor will examine the chest cavity and remove diseased lung tissue.

This examination may be performed directly (thoracotomy) or with the aid of a camera (thoracoscopy). A chest tube is inserted to drain air, fluid, and blood out of the chest cavity. Then the ribs and skin are closed.

Indications:

Lung surgery may be recommended for the following reasons:

• Cancer (such as lung cancer)
• Injuries with collapsed lung tissue (atelectasis, pneumothorax, or hemothorax)
• Permanently collapsed lung tissue (atelectasis)
• Permanently enlarged (dilated) section of lung (lobar emphysema)
• Permanently enlarged (dilated) airways (bronchiectasis)
• Pockets of infection (lung abscess)
• Small areas of long-term infection (such as highly localized pulmonary tuberculosis or mycobacterium)
• Tumors (such as solitary pulmonary nodule)