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Pneumonectomy

What is pneumonectomy?

Pneumonectomy is a radical lung surgery involving the complete surgical removal of the lung. It is most commonly performed for primary lung malignancy

Pneumonectomy’s main objective is to eradicate the malignant tissues completely, thus lowering the chance of recurrence and enhancing the patient’s prognosis and quality of life.

When a surgeon finds it difficult to establish clean margins with a less invasive surgery, like segmentectomy (removal of one segment) or lobectomy (removal of one lobe), pneumonectomy is then considered to treat a big tumor that is centrally positioned in the lung or involves numerous lobes.

When is a pneumonectomy needed?

A patient might be eligible for a pneumonectomy if:

The cancer is only in one lung (hasn’t spread) and could be cured by removing the lung.
The tumor is in a place in the lung where a surgeon can’t remove it all without taking out the entire lung.
The heart, blood vessels, and lungs function well enough to make one a good candidate for surgery.
A patient shouldn’t have a pneumonectomy if they have:
Inadequate lung function.
Severe heart valve disease.
Severe pulmonary hypertension.
Poor ventricular function (ability to pump blood to your body).

Is a laparoscopy a major surgery?

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, but that doesn’t always mean it’s a minor surgery. Many abdominal procedures can be done as laparoscopic surgeries, but they’re still major surgeries. The advantages of having laparoscopic surgery include:

  • Less trauma to the insides of the stomach.
  • Less blood loss and a lower risk of hemorrhage.
  • Smaller scars.
  • Less risk of infection.
  • A shorter hospital stay, that means less time in the hospital and is also less expensive.
  • Faster recovery time and return to your usual activities.
  • Less pain during healing, so you won’t need as much pain medication.

What are the benefits of a pneumonectomy?

Having a pneumonectomy performed is a chance to remove the entire tumor and thus keep the cancer from spreading. For other diseases or injuries to the lung, removing a damaged lung can reduce the risk of fatal complications that include empyema and bacterial or fungal infections.

FAQs

How long does it take to recover from a pneumonectomy?

It can take several months to fully recover from a pneumonectomy.

What is the life expectancy with one lung?

Depending on one’s specific situation, treatments can improve prognosis. For example, those who have a left-sided pneumonectomy are said to have a better prognosis than those who have a right-sided pneumonectomy.

Is pneumonectomy effective?

If a patient has a localized tumor that has not spread beyond the lung, then getting a pneumonectomy can be effective. However, various factors need to be considered, including the effectiveness of any additional treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.