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Pulmonary Lobectomy


Why is this procedure done?


Sometimes, the doctor needs to take out one or more lobes of your lung. This is called a pulmonary lobectomy. It may be done to treat lung conditions like cancer or emphysema. You may need this surgery to treat a birth defect or to take out a cyst. Sometimes, it is needed to take out an infection or abscess. Tuberculosis is another reason doctors do this surgery. ‚  


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What will the results be?


The part of the lung is removed. This may help to ease breathing problems or to stop the spread of disease. ‚  

What happens before the procedure?


Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚  
  • All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
  • Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
  • If you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
  • If you are not feeling well. An infection from a cold or sore throat may raise the risk of infection.

Your doctor will do an exam and may order: ‚  
  • Lab tests
  • X-rays
  • CT scan

You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home. ‚  

What happens during the procedure?


  • Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery. The staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs.
  • When you are asleep, the doctors put a tube in your mouth to help you breathe. Your doctor may put a tube in your bladder to drain urine.
  • This surgery may be done in one of two ways.
    • Open ¢ ˆ ’ The doctor makes a large cut in your chest area and spreads your ribs. Your doctor will find and remove the diseased lobe of the lung.
    • Laparoscopically ¢ ˆ ’ Your doctor will make 3 to 4 small cuts in your chest. A scope with a tiny camera is put through one of the small cuts to look at the lung. Your doctor will put small surgical tools into the holes to do the procedure. Then, the affected lobe will be removed.
  • If the procedure is done due to cancer, your doctor also will remove some of the lymph nodes in your chest to send to the lab for testing.
  • Your doctor will put tubes in your chest to drain fluids out of the chest cavity.
  • Your doctor will close your cut with stitches or staples and cover it with clean bandages.
  • The procedure takes 1 to 4 hours.

What happens after the procedure?


  • You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You may have to stay in the hospital for 5 to 10 days. This is based on the kind of surgery you had.
  • The staff will take out your breathing tube when you are awake and strong enough to breathe. You may have a sore throat afterwards.
  • A tube will drain fluids from around your lungs to help you heal.
  • Within a day or two, you will get out of bed and sit on a chair. The staff will help you begin to walk around. Coughing and deep breathing exercises will help keep your lungs clear.
  • You will get drugs to help with your pain.

What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut sites. Ask your doctor about:
    • When you should change your bandages.
    • When you may take a bath or shower.
    • If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds.
    • When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex.
  • Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
  • Avoid exposure to smoke.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Your doctor will tell you if you need other tests. You may need regular lung x-rays.

What lifestyle changes are needed?


  • Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
  • If you run, work out, or play sports, you may not be able to do those things until your health problem gets better. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
  • Avoid smoking and drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).

What problems could happen?


  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Injury to surroundings organs
  • Collapsed lung
  • Not able to breathe without the help of a machine for a long time

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum.
  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Chest pain
  • Trouble breathing

Where can I learn more?


American Lung Association ‚  
http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/lung-cancer/treating-lung-cancer/how-is-lung-cancer-treated/surgery.html ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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