Table of Contents
What is the life expectancy after a lobectomy?
The survival rate after 5 or more years for lobectomy was 41 per cent (34 patients). After simple pneumonectomy 21 patients (30 per cent) lived 5 years or more, and after radical pneumonectomy 39 patients (39 per cent) lived 5 years or more.
How serious is a lobectomy?
A lobectomy is a major surgery and it has some risks, such as: Infection. A collapsed lung, which prevents your lung from filling with air when you breathe in. Air or fluid leaking into your chest.
Which lobectomy is most difficult?
Many surgeons believe that left upper lobectomy is the most challenging of the 5 lobectomies, given the greater number of arterial branches to the lobe and the degree of variability in terms of the anatomy.
How can I improve my breathing after lobectomy?
After surgery, you will probably feel short of breath. Your doctor, nurse, or respiratory therapist will teach you deep-breathing and coughing exercises to help your body get as much oxygen as possible. At first, you also may need to get extra oxygen through a mask or a plastic tube in your nostrils (nasal cannula).
What are the side effects of a lobectomy?
The risks of a lobectomy include:
- an infection.
- bleeding.
- an empyema, which is a collection of pus in the chest cavity.
- a bronchopleural fistula, which is a tube-like track that causes air or fluid to leak out at the surgical site.
- a tension pneumothorax occurs when air gets trapped between the lung and chest wall.
What are the long term effects of a lobectomy?
PCs of patients after VATS lobectomy
| Complications grade | Number | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Pneumonia | 27 | 3.3 |
| Prolonged air leak (only need suction) | 38 | 4.6 |
| Effusion | 20 | 2.4 |
| Atelectasis | 5 | 0.6 |
What kind of doctor performs lobectomy?
A thoracic surgeon performs a lobectomy. Thoracic surgeons specialize in the surgical care of the heart, lungs, trachea (windpipe), esophagus, diaphragm, and chest wall.
What fills the space after a lobectomy?
After the surgery, your body adjusts to make up for the missing section. The remaining healthy lung tissue expands to fill the space and the other lung may shift toward the side of the removed lobe. What can I expect before the lobectomy?
What exercise is good after lung surgery?
Run, walk, or bike vigorously. Play sports like tennis, golf, softball, swimming, or bowling, or do any other sport that could cause injury to your chest area. Slowly work up to walking at least 30 minutes, total, every day. Start by walking 3 times a day for about 5 minutes each time.
How can I strengthen my lungs after surgery?
Deep Breathing Exercises
- Breathe in deeply and slowly through your nose, expanding your lower rib cage, and letting your abdomen move forward.
- Hold for a count of 3 to 5.
- Breathe out slowly and completely through pursed lips. Don’t force your breath out.
- Rest and repeat 10 times every hour.