Pneumonectomy

What is Pneumonectomy?

A pneumonectomy is the surgical removal of an entire lung, most often performed when a tumour is too large or too centrally located to be removed with a smaller procedure like a lobectomy, or when disease affects the whole lung. Through an incision in the chest wall, your surgeon carefully separates the lung from its major blood vessels and airway, then removes it entirely. Because this is a more extensive procedure than a lobectomy, it is typically performed as open surgery rather than through minimally invasive techniques, though your surgical team will always choose the safest approach for your specific case. It is performed under general anaesthesia, with your care team carefully assessing your remaining lung's ability to support your breathing beforehand.

How does this procedure help?

Removing an entire diseased lung can eliminate cancer or resolve severe lung disease that could not otherwise be treated. The remaining healthy lung gradually adapts to take on the full workload of breathing, and with pulmonary rehabilitation, most patients regain good functional capacity for daily activities. Recovery is more involved than smaller lung surgeries, typically requiring a hospital stay of one to two weeks, with continued improvement in stamina over several months.

How does Medicay Global help?