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Pulmonary Lobectomy

(Removal of a Lung Lobe)

by Krisha McCoy
En Español (Spanish Version)
Definition
Reasons for Procedure
Possible Complications
What to Expect
Call Your Doctor

Definition

Each lung is made up of 2 or 3 sections called lobes. A lobectomy is the removal of one of these lobes. The procedure may be done through an opening in the chest wall or through small incisions and special tools.

Reasons for Procedure

A lobectomy is used to treat a variety of lung conditions, such as

Lung Cancer

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Possible Complications

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Anesthesia-related problems
  • Collapsed lung— atelectasis
  • Need for prolonged mechanical ventilation
  • Blood clots in the legs (DVT) that may travel to the lungs
  • Damage to nearby organs or structures
  • Chronic pain related to the surgery
  • Death

Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage factors that may increase your risk of complications, such as:

  • Smoking
  • Drinking
  • Chronic disease, such as diabetes or obesity
  • Low fitness

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may do the following:

Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to 1 week before the procedure.

Before your procedure, you may need to:

  • Follow a special diet.
  • Eat a light meal the night before. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
  • Take antibiotics or other medications.
  • Shower the night before the procedure with a special soap.
  • Arrange to have someone drive you to and from the procedure.
  • Arrange for help at home as you recover.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be given—you will be asleep during the procedure

Description of Procedure

A lobectomy may be done in 1 of 2 ways:

  • Traditional thoracotomy—A large incision will be made. The ribs will be spread. The lung lobe will be located and removed.
  • Video-assisted thoracic procedure (VATS)—Several small incisions will be made between your ribs. A tiny camera and special tools will be inserted through the incisions. The inside of your chest will be viewed on a nearby monitor. The lung lobe will be located and removed. May have fewer complications than open.
  • Robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS)—Similar to VATS but done with robot arms. The robot may help do smoother small movements.

Tubes will be placed in your chest. They will help drain the chest cavity. The incision(s) will be closed with stitches or staples.

Immediately After Procedure

You will be taken to a recovery room. You will be given fluids and medications through an IV.

How Long Will It Take?

1 to 4 hours

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.

Average Hospital Stay

  • Thoracotomy—about 1 to 2 weeks
  • Video-assisted thoracic procedure—2 to 5 days

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

You will be asked to cough and walk often.

You may be given an incentive spirometer. This is a breathing exercise device that will encourage you to take deep breaths.

The chest tube will be removed before you go home.

Preventing Infection

During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to reduce your chance of infection, such as:

  • Washing their hands
  • Wearing gloves or masks
  • Keeping your incisions covered

There are also steps you can take to reduce your chance of infection, such as:

  • Washing your hands often and reminding your healthcare providers to do the same
  • Reminding your healthcare providers to wear gloves or masks
  • Not allowing others to touch your incision

At Home

You will have to limit specific activities, but daily walks may be encouraged. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Call Your Doctor

Contact your doctor if your recovery is not progressing as expected or you develop complications such as:

  • Signs of infection, including fever and chills
  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
  • Persistent nausea and vomiting
  • Pain that you cannot control with the medications you were given
  • Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
  • Coughing up yellow, green, or bloody mucus
  • Pain and/or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs

Call for emergency medical services right away for:

  • Sudden chest pain
  • Sudden shortness of breath

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

RESOURCES:

American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute
https://www.cancer.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca

REFERENCES:

Information for patients undergoing a thorascopic wedge/lobectomy. University of Michigan Department of Surgery website. Available at: http://surgery.med.umich.edu/thoracic/patient/discharge_followup/teaching/tscope_lobe.shtml. Accessed January 26, 2021.

Lobectomy. Johns Hopkins Medicine website. Available at: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/pulmonary/lobectomy_92,P07749. Accessed January 26, 2021.

Management of resectable non-small cell lung cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T906057/Management-of-resectable-non-small-cell-lung-cancer. Accessed January 26, 2021.

Small cell lung cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115654/Small-cell-lung-cancer. Accessed January 26, 2021.

Surgery for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer/treating/surgery.html. Accessed January 26, 2021.

Last reviewed November 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review BoardNicole S. Meregian, PA  Last Updated: 1/26/2021