About Lobectomy Lungs
Key Highlights
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Curative Potential: Offers a chance for a complete cure in early-stage lung cancer by removing the primary tumor.Lung Function Preservation: Targets only the diseased lobe, helping to preserve overall lung capacity better than a full pneumonectomy.Minimally Invasive Options: Can often be performed using VATS or robotic techniques, leading to smaller incisions, less pain, and a quicker recovery.listrongAccurate Staging:/strong Provides definitive tissue for pathological analysis, allowing for precise cancer staging and guiding further treatment./lilistrongPerformed by Specialists:/strong Conducted by surgical oncologists with specialized training in cancer surgery techniques./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): The primary indication, especially for Stage I, II, and some Stage IIIA tumors confined to one lobe.
- Localized Tumors: Other cancers that have metastasized to the lung but are isolated to a single lobe.
- Benign Tumors: Removal of large or symptomatic benign lung tumors, such as hamartomas.
- Severe Infection: For chronic, localized lung infections like tuberculosis or fungal abscesses that do not respond to medication.
- Trauma or Congenital Disease: In cases of severe lung injury or certain congenital lung abnormalities.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive Evaluation: Undergo pulmonary function tests (PFTs), CT scans, PET scans, and often a biopsy to confirm diagnosis and assess operability.
- Cardiac Assessment: Complete an EKG and possibly a stress test to ensure the heart can withstand surgery.
- Pre-operative Counseling: Discuss the procedure, risks, and recovery in detail with the surgical oncologist and anesthesiologist.
- Medication Review: Stop certain medications like blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin) as directed by the doctor.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Cease smoking immediately and may begin breathing exercises (incentive spirometry) to strengthen the lungs.
- Fasting: Follow instructions for fasting (no food or drink) typically 8-12 hours before the surgery.
Risks & possible complications
- General Surgical Risks: Bleeding, infection at the incision site, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Respiratory Complications: Pneumonia, air leak (prolonged), or respiratory failure requiring temporary ventilator support.
- Cardiac Events: Risk of heart attack or arrhythmias, especially in patients with pre-existing heart conditions.
- Persistent Pain: Post-thoracotomy pain syndrome, which can cause chronic discomfort in the chest area.
- Reduced Lung Function: Shortness of breath, especially during exertion, due to the loss of lung tissue.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital Stay: Initial recovery in the hospital with pain management, chest tube drainage, and respiratory therapy.
- Pain Control: Use of epidural catheters, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), and later, oral medications.
- Breathing Exercises: Critical use of an incentive spirometer and early ambulation to prevent pneumonia and collapse of the remaining lung.
- Activity Graduation: Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for several weeks. Walking is encouraged.
- Follow-up Care: Regular check-ups with the surgical oncologist for wound care, monitoring recovery, and planning any adjuvant therapy like chemotherapy if needed.
- Long-term Monitoring: Ongoing CT scans and check-ups to monitor for any signs of cancer recurrence.
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Typical hospital stay: 5-10 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-12 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering lobectomy lungs in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with surgical oncology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform lobectomy lungs. MediFyr helps you compare surgical oncologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for lobectomy lungs compare across other countries where we have data.
Anjali Sharma, a 67-year-old retired school...
Anjali Sharma, a 67-year-old retired school teacher, had been treated for pneumonia twice in one year. During the second bout, her chest X-ray showed an unresolved shadow. A follow-up PET-CT scan identified a metabolically active mass in her right lower lobe, and a biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. Given her age and the tumor's location, her surgical oncologist, Dr. Rodriguez, recommended a robotic-assisted right lower lobectomy, emphasizing its precision and faster recovery potential. Anjali, a lifelong caregiver, found it difficult to accept being the patient. She feared losing her independence and the ability to travel to visit her grandchildren. The surgery was successful, and she worked diligently with pulmonary rehab. While she gets winded more easily than before, she manages well. Now two years post-op, she remains cancer-free. Emotionally, Anjali transitioned from feeling frail and dependent to rediscovering her resilience. She has a renewed appreciation for simple pleasures and leads a gentle yoga class for fellow cancer survivors, finding community in her recovery.
Surgical Oncologists for Lobectomy Lungs
Explore experienced surgical oncologists who regularly perform lobectomy lungs and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 9 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore