Learn about Pleurectomy or Decortication Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Pleurectomy or Decortication and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Pleurectomy or Decortication

Pleurectomy or Decortication is a specialized thoracic surgical procedure primarily performed to treat conditions affecting the pleura, the thin membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity. While often managed by thoracic surgeons, complex cases involving the heart or major vessels may be performed by a cardiac surgeon. The procedure involves the surgical removal (pleurectomy) or stripping (decortication) of diseased, thickened, or restrictive pleural tissue. This aims to relieve symptoms like severe shortness of breath and chest pain, improve lung expansion, and treat underlying conditions such as malignant pleural mesothelioma, recurrent pleural effusions, or advanced empyema. It is a major surgery requiring general anesthesia and a thoracotomy (chest incision) to access the pleural space.

Key Highlights

    Can significantly improve breathing capacity and relieve debilitating chest pain.Offers a potentially curative or effective management option for certain pleural cancers like mesothelioma.Helps prevent recurrent fluid buildup (pleural effusions) in the chest cavity.Removes infected or scarred tissue, treating conditions like chronic empyema.Performed by highly skilled cardiac or thoracic surgeons for precision near vital structures.

Who is this surgery for?

  • Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (a cancer of the pleural lining).
  • Recurrent or complicated pleural effusions (fluid buildup) not controlled by simpler drainage.
  • Chronic or organized empyema (pus in the pleural space) with trapped lung.
  • Severe pleural thickening or fibrosis restricting lung function.
  • Certain cases of advanced pleural tuberculosis or other chronic infections.
  • As part of a surgical management plan for select metastatic cancers to the pleura.

How to prepare

  • Comprehensive evaluation including chest CT scan, pulmonary function tests, and often a biopsy.
  • Pre-operative cardiac and pulmonary assessment to ensure fitness for major surgery.
  • Blood tests, ECG, and consultations with an anesthesiologist.
  • Discontinuation of certain medications like blood thinners as advised by the surgeon.
  • Fasting for 8-12 hours before the scheduled surgery time.
  • Discussion of the procedure, risks, benefits, and post-operative care plan with the surgical team.

Risks & possible complications

  • Bleeding, infection, or blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism).
  • Persistent air leak from the lung requiring extended chest tube drainage.
  • Respiratory complications like pneumonia or respiratory failure.
  • Injury to nearby structures such as the lung, heart, diaphragm, or major blood vessels.
  • Post-thoracotomy pain syndrome (chronic chest wall pain).
  • Recurrence of the underlying disease or fluid accumulation.
  • Risks associated with general anesthesia.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Initial recovery in the ICU or a high-dependency unit for close monitoring.
  • Chest tubes remain in place for several days to drain fluid and air until the lung is fully expanded.
  • Aggressive pain management is crucial to facilitate deep breathing and coughing exercises.
  • Early mobilization with assistance to prevent complications.
  • Respiratory therapy including incentive spirometry to improve lung function.
  • Follow-up appointments to monitor healing, remove stitches, and assess lung function.
  • A gradual return to normal activities over several weeks, avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous exercise initially.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 7-14 days
  • checked Expected recovery time: 6-12 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering pleurectomy or decortication in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for pleurectomy or decortication compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India USD 3,807 – USD 8,701 7-14 days ~ 6-12 weeks Know More
Turkey USD 28,184 – USD 64,420 7-14 days ~ 6-12 weeks Know More

Top hospitals for Pleurectomy or Decortication in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiac surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing pleurectomy or decortication.

Manipal Hospital Siliguri

  • IconSiliguri, India
  • Icon30 Doctors

Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa

  • Iconvijayawada, India
  • Icon44 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar

  • IconBhubaneshwar, India
  • Icon55 Doctors

Miot Hospital Chennai

  • IconChennai, India
  • Icon250 Doctors

SIMS Hospital Vadapalani

  • IconChennai, India
  • Icon71 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Mukundapur

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon145 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon105 Doctors

Medanta The Medicity

  • IconGurgaon, India
  • Icon900 Doctors

Nanavati Max Hospital

  • IconMumbai, India
  • Icon187 Doctors
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Cardiac surgeons for Pleurectomy or Decortication

Explore experienced cardiac surgeons who regularly perform pleurectomy or decortication and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Vijay Deshmukh
  • 24 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Nanavati Hospital Mumbai

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Dr. Deepak Aggarwal
  • 24 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Sanjeev Chandna
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri
  • 20 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Nitin Kumar Rajput
  • 19 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Vishal Dhir
  • 18 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital Faridabad

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Dr. Kulasekaran M
  • 18 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai

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Dr. Chandrashekhar Kulkarni
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Nanavati Hospital Mumbai

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Dr. Upadhyayula Satyanarayana
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Harpreet Wasir
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Anurag Goyal
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Madhur Sahay
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Mohan Venkatesh Pulle
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Sameer Dhingra
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Navneet Goyal
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Firdoos Ahmad Mir
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Swarnika Srivastava
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Vikas Mudgal
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Lalchand Bandagi
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road

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Dr. Sukhram Bishnoi
  • 12 Years Experience
  • Cardiac surgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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