Pneumonectomy is a major thoracic surgery in which an entire lung is surgically removed. It may be recommended when a disease or tumour affects a large portion of the lung and removing only part of it would not provide adequate treatment. It is most commonly considered for selected cases of lung cancer, although the need for surgery depends on the condition, tumour location, lung function and overall health.
When Is Pneumonectomy Recommended?
A pneumonectomy may be considered when cancer is located centrally or extends across multiple areas of one lung. Before surgery, doctors generally evaluate lung function, imaging, heart health and overall fitness to determine whether the remaining lung can provide adequate breathing capacity.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon removes the affected lung and may also remove nearby lymph nodes for laboratory examination. The operation can involve an open chest approach such as thoracotomy, depending on the individual case.
Recovery and Benefits
After pneumonectomy surgery, recovery includes pain management, breathing exercises, early mobilisation and gradually increasing physical activity. Recovery time varies between individuals. Possible complications include infection, bleeding, blood clots, heart rhythm changes and breathlessness.