MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:Pulmonary lobectomy

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Pulmonary lobectomy - series: Procedure

Pulmonary lobectomy - seriesIllustrations:

Normal anatomy

Procedure

Aftercare

If a cancer or lesion is within a lobe of the lung, removal of the involved lobe is indicated. Under general anesthesia with the patient deep asleep and pain free, an incision is made between the ribs to expose the lung. The chest cavity is examined and diseased lung tissue is removed. A drainage tube (chest tube) is inserted to drain air, fluid, and blood out of the chest cavity and the ribs and skin are closed.

Update Date: 5/15/2008

Updated by: Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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