A surgical
procedure to remove the entire lung of a person is Pneumonectomy and this
is done through thoractomy. Pneumonectomy is a major surgery with removal
of lung due to lung cancer and the patients are usually those who suffer
from respiratory problems.
This surgery is opted for the reasons given below:
Pneumonectomy
is opted when the radical surgery fails.
This type
of surgery is the best when the position of the tumor is near the centre
of the lung, which hinders the pulmonary arteries and the veins that
supply blood to the heart.
When a
person has had chest injury and mutilated air passage and the blood
vessels that are beyond repair this surgery is the solution.
When a person has lung cancer, pneumonectomy helps in getting rid
of it.
Pneumonectomy is a process of thoractomy in which the surgery has
one of the painful incisions that require cutting of the rib muscles
to separate the rib. The lung is closed and the surgeon ties up the
blood vessels. The cancerous lung is then fastened, the air tube is
cut, and the lung is removed through the opening.
The air tube is checked for leakage and stitches or staples close
the incisions. This surgery is possible only for those whose cancer
is limited to the lung only and have had the lung and the respiratory
test before the surgery. The size and spot of the cancer in the person
also plays a very important role in surgery.
Since it is a major operation, the recovery also takes a long period.
The patient is monitored closely initially after the surgery and depending
on the recovery, the patient will be shifted to the ICU. The first
day of surgery, the patient is put on a ventilator or respirator for
breathing.
The patient is sedated and medicines are given until the tubes are
taken out. Once the tubes are removed, the respiratory therapist aids
the patient with a device that helps in breathing and opening the
small sacs of the lungs. The patient needs to stay in the hospital
for about 10 days and can return to normal activities in eight weeks
time.
Like all other surgeries, pneumonectomy has its own risks. The patient
may face complications such as –
Infections
such as pneumonia
Need for
the respiratory system for a longer period after the surgery
Irregular
heartbeats or heart attacks
Fluid
buildup in the lungs
Kidney
failure
Pus formation
in the space linking the membranes lining the lungs
Deep vein
thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism
Persistent
pain the incision area or in the place where the ribs where cut
Stroke
Other problems are bleeding and troubles related to anesthesia. The
complications differ depending on the health of the person and recovery.
The stay in the ICU and hospital largely count on these complications.
Sometimes another surgery or blood transfusion is also necessary.
Other grave complications are that some patients may have permanent
disability or even lose their life in this pneumonectomy surgery although
cancer does not reoccur in that area.
