Definition
Each lung is made up of 2 or 3 sections called lobes. A lobectomy is the surgical removal of one of these sections from the lung.
Reasons for Procedure
A lobectomy is used to treat a variety of lung conditions, such as
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
- 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
Your doctor may do the following:
- Physical exam
- Blood and urine tests
- Lung function tests
- Imaging tests to assess the lungs and surrounding structures:
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.
General
anesthesia will be given—you will be asleep during the 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—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.
If you are having a lobectomy to remove cancer, the lymph glands in your chest will also be removed. The glands will be tested for any sign of cancer.
After completing the procedure, tubes will be placed in your chest. They will help drain the chest cavity. The incision(s) will be closed with stitches or staples.
You will be taken to a recovery room. You will be given fluids and medications through an IV.
Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.
- Thoracotomy—about 1-2 weeks
- Video-assisted thoracic procedure—2-5 days
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.
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
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.
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.
Updated April 3, 2012. Accessed March 6, 2018.
Lobectomy. Johns Hopkins Medicine website. Available at:
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/pulmonary/lobectomy_92,P07749. Accessed March 6, 2018.
Management of resectable non-small cell lung cancer. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T906057/Management-of-resectable-non-small-cell-lung-cancer. Updated February 14, 2018. Accessed March 6, 2018.
Small cell lung cancer. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115654/Small-cell-lung-cancer. Updated October 27, 2017. Accessed March 6, 2018.
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. Updated February 8, 2016. Accessed March 6, 2018.
6/3/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T905141/Treatment-for-tobacco-use: Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.
Last reviewed March 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Alan Drabkin, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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