Thoracoscopic Lobectomy Treatment in Turkey
About Thoracoscopic Lobectomy
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive approach with smaller incisions and less tissue trauma.Reduced post-operative pain and discomfort compared to open thoracotomy.Shorter hospital stay, typically 3-5 days.Quicker return to normal daily activities and work.Superior cosmetic result with minimal scarring.Lower risk of certain complications like infection and bleeding.liAllows for precise visualization and removal of the diseased lung tissue./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) confined to one lobe.
- Localized benign lung tumors or nodules suspicious for malignancy.
- Certain types of metastatic cancer isolated to a single lung lobe.
- Severe, localized lung infections (e.g., abscess, tuberculosis) unresponsive to medication.
- Congenital lung abnormalities or severe bronchiectasis affecting one lobe.
- Diagnostic purposes when less invasive methods are inconclusive.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation including pulmonary function tests, imaging (CT/PET scan), and cardiac assessment.
- Complete blood work, coagulation profile, and other relevant laboratory tests.
- Smoking cessation is mandatory for several weeks before surgery.
- Review and adjustment of current medications (e.g., blood thinners may need to be stopped).
- Pre-operative counseling with the surgeon and anesthesiologist to discuss the procedure and anesthesia.
- Fasting for 8-12 hours prior to the scheduled surgery time.
- Practice of deep breathing exercises and incentive spirometry as instructed.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding (hemorrhage) during or after the procedure.
- Infection at the incision sites or within the chest (empyema).
- Air leak from the lung (prolonged air leak), which may require extended chest tube drainage.
- Pneumonia or respiratory failure.
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) that could travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
- Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
- Persistent pain, nerve injury, or shoulder stiffness.
- Rarely, conversion to an open thoracotomy if complications arise.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery in the hospital with monitoring; a chest tube drains fluid/air for a few days.
- Aggressive pain management to facilitate deep breathing and coughing.
- Early mobilization with walking assistance to prevent complications.
- Instruction on deep breathing exercises and incentive spirometry to expand remaining lung tissue.
- Discharge with guidelines on wound care, activity restrictions, and pain medication.
- Follow-up appointments to monitor healing, remove sutures, and review pathology results.
- Gradual increase in activity; avoidance of heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for several weeks.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation may be recommended to improve lung function and endurance.
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Typical hospital stay:
3-5 days
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Expected recovery time:
4-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering thoracoscopic lobectomy in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with pulmonology 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 thoracoscopic lobectomy. MediFyr helps you compare pulmonologists 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 thoracoscopic lobectomy compare across other countries where we have data.
Anjali Nair, a 58-year-old former school...
Anjali Nair, a 58-year-old former school librarian and non-smoker, had a persistent, dry cough for months. A routine chest X-ray revealed a suspicious 2.5 cm nodule in her right upper lobe. A follow-up CT scan and subsequent biopsy confirmed it was Stage I adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer. Anjali was terrified; cancer felt like a betrayal of her healthy lifestyle. Her pulmonologist, Dr. Evans, explained that due to the tumor's small size and location, a thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy was the best curative option, offering a high chance of cure with minimally invasive techniques. Anjali underwent the procedure, which involved three small incisions and the removal of the affected lobe. She was surprised by the manageable pain post-op, aided by an epidural, and was walking the same day. Her recovery at home took about 6-8 weeks, with gradual return to her daily walks and gardening. Pathology confirmed clear margins and no lymph node involvement. Emotionally, Anjali moved from a state of profound fear and shock to one of cautious optimism and immense gratitude. She now volunteers with a cancer support network, using her experience to comfort others.