What is a pneumonectomy?
A pneumonectomy is a surgical procedure that completely removes the left or right lung.
In a large percentage of clinical cases, it is performed to treat lung cancer or cancer that has spread to the lung parenchyma.
In some clinical cases, the reason for performing a pneumonectomy is that the lung is seriously damaged due to non-cancerous conditions or trauma.
Among surgical operations, pneumonectomy is considered a serious, complex manipulation, therefore, a high risk of complications is expected.
Pneumonectomy is performed to treat the following diseases:
- Lung cancer;
- Carcinoid tumor of the lung;
- Pleural mesothelioma;
- Some traumatic injuries to the lung;
- Tuberculosis;
- Disseminated thymoma.
Pneumonectomy may also be performed for the following reasons:
- The cancer is in only one lung and has not spread;
- The tumor is in a space that the surgeon cannot reach without removing the lung.
Pneumonectomy cannot be performed if the patient has:
- Inadequate lung function;
- Severe heart valve disease;
- Severe pulmonary hypertension;
- Poor ventricular function.
Source:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25003-pneumonectomy
