Lung resection is a type of surgery used to diagnose and treat lung disorders. Surgeons remove part or all of your lung. Providers perform lung resection through open surgery, video-assisted surgery or robotic-assisted surgery. Though recovery can take weeks or months, most people can return to a full range of activities after this time.
A lung resection, also called a pulmonary resection, is surgery to remove part or all of your lung. Surgeons may perform a lung resection either with minimally invasive surgery or open surgery (thoracotomy). Today, most lung resections are performed by minimally invasiv e techniques that use one to four 1-inch incisions on the side of your body, a video camera and specialized instruments — including a surgical robot to remove portions of your lung. The entry is between your ribs so your ribs are not broken for the procedure. Less commonly, surgeons use a thoracotomy incision (3.5 inches or 8 centimeters) under your shoulder blade, and your ribs are spread to gain access to the chest.
Healthcare providers perform a lung resection when your lung has been damaged or diseased, such as with lung cancer or lung disease. Surgery isn’t possible for everyone with lung cancer, however. You also may have a lung resection if your provider needs to diagnose lung disease.
During your lung resection, you will get general anesthesia, which will help you sleep. A surgeon can use one of two types of surgery for a lung resection: minimally invasive surgery (thoracoscopic or robotic surgery) or open surgery (thoracotomy).
