A lobectomy is a type of lung cancer surgery, in which one lobe of a lung is removed as a treatment for lung cancer. The right lung has 3 lobes, and the left lung has 2 lobes. A lobectomy is also performed occasionally for other conditions, such as tuberculosis, severe COPD, or trauma that interrupts major blood vessels near the lungs.
Types of Procedures
A lobe of your lung can be removed by a few different methods. Your surgeon will recommend one of these based upon both the characteristics of your particular cancer, and how comfortable he is with each of the procedures:- Open lobectomy – In an open lobectomy, a lobe of the lungs is removed through a long incision on the side of the chest (thoracotomy).
- VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) lobectomy – In this procedure a lobe of the lung is removed through a few small incisions in the chest with the assistance of instruments and a camera. A VATS procedure may be considered for stage 1 lung cancer with fairly small tumors (usually less than 3-4 cm). When a VATS lobectomy is possible, it may result in fewer complications than an open lobectomy.
When is a Lobectomy Done?
The type of lung cancer surgery your doctor recommends will depend upon several factors, including:- The location of your tumor
- The size of your tumor
- Whether or not your tumor has spread to nearby tissues
- Your general state of health
- How well your lungs are functioning prior to surgery
Next, Preparing for Your Surgery
