A pneumonectomy is a specialized and complex surgical procedure in the field of thoracic surgery. The term "pneumonectomy" is derived from two Greek words, "pneumon" which means lung, and "ektome" which means removal or excision. It refers to the complete removal of one entire lung from the thoracic cavity of a patient.
During a pneumonectomy, the surgeon makes an incision in the chest wall, typically using an open thoracotomy approach or minimally invasive techniques like video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The main goal of this procedure is to excise the diseased or damaged lung due to various underlying conditions, such as lung cancer, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, or severe trauma.
The procedure involves dissecting and dividing various structures, including blood vessels, bronchi, and lymph nodes, which are then sealed or ligated to prevent bleeding or air leakage. Once the entire lung is removed, the surgical team meticulously closes the incision and provides post-operative care to the patient.
Pneumonectomy is a major surgical intervention that requires careful patient selection, comprehensive preoperative evaluation, and thorough understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the thoracic cavity. It is often considered as a last resort when other treatment options fail or when the disease state in the lung is severe and life-threatening.
Following pneumonectomy, patients typically experience significant functional limitations due to reduced lung capacity. Thus, post-operative care involves close monitoring, respiratory physiotherapy, and rehabilitation to optimize lung function and promote overall recovery.
