What types of lung surgery are there?
What are the various types of lung operations called? The three most common types of lung operations are thoracotomy, lobectomy, and pneumonectomy. What is a thoracotomy? This is a major operation used as a diagnostic tool when other diagnostic tests have failed to locate the tumor or to clarify the nature or extent of the tumor. The operation is performed in the operating room under anesthesia. It involves opening up the chest on one side and examining the lungs and nearby areas, such as lymph nodes. To perform the procedure, the doctor removes a rib or goes between two ribs, just below the shoulder blade. His cut follows the curve of the ribs, going from the back just under the shoulder blade around to the front of the chest. He spreads the ribs apart so he can see and work in the area of the lung. If a tumor is found, an immediate examination of it is made by the pathologist. If his report shows that the cell type of the tumor is favorable for operating, the surgical...