Indications for lung resection:

  •  Lung cancer
  •  Benign lung tumors
  •  Chronic lung infections
  •  Lung injury
  •  Birth defects of the lungs

Types of lung resection:

  •  Wedge-shaped resection: A small wedge-shaped section of the lung is removed.
  •  Segmental resection: A whole segment of the lung is removed.
  •  Lobectomy: The entire lobe of the lung is removed.
  •  Pneumonectomy: The whole lung is removed.

Lung resection is usually performed through a thoracotomy, an incision in the chest. In some cases, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) may be used, which is less invasive.

During the procedure, the surgeon:

  •  Makes an incision in the chest.
  •  Separates the affected part of the lung from the surrounding tissues.
  •  Removes the affected part.
  •  Closes the incision with stitches or staples.

Recovery:

  •  Hospital for 3-5 days.
  •  Full recovery in 4-8 weeks.
  •  Respiratory therapy and painkillers may be required.

Possible complications:

  •  The bleeding
  •  Infection
  •  Pneumothorax (accumulation of air in the pleural cavity)
  • Chronic pain
  •  Respiratory failure

Alternative treatment options

  •  Radiotherapy: Can be used to destroy cancer cells.
  •  Chemotherapy: Can be used to destroy cancer cells.
  •  Targeted Therapy: Uses drugs to attack specific molecules on cancer cells.
  •  Immunotherapy: Uses the body's immune system to fight cancer.