Removal of lung, other than pneumonectomy; single lobe (lobectomy)
CPT4 code
Name of the Procedure:
Lobectomy (Removal of lung, other than pneumonectomy; single lobe)
Summary
A lobectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a single lobe of the lung. The lobes are distinct sections of the lung that can be affected by disease or damage. This procedure is often performed to treat patients with lung cancer, infections, or other lung conditions localized to one lobe.
Purpose
Lobectomies are performed to remove diseased or damaged lung tissue, improve lung function, and prevent the spread of certain diseases, such as lung cancer. The goal is to relieve symptoms, improve breathing, and enhance overall quality of life.
Indications
- Lung cancer confined to a single lobe
- Persistent lung infections unresponsive to antibiotics
- Benign tumors
- Severe lung damage from conditions like emphysema
- Congenital lung malformations
Patients should be in overall good health with adequate remaining lung function to tolerate the removal of a lobe.
Preparation
- Patients may need to fast for several hours before the procedure.
- Medications may be adjusted, particularly blood thinners.
- Preoperative tests might include chest X-rays, CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and blood work.
- Smoking cessation is strongly advised.
Procedure Description
- The patient is given general anesthesia.
- An incision is made in the chest to access the lung. This can be done through traditional open surgery (thoracotomy) or minimally invasive techniques like video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
- The affected lobe is carefully separated from the rest of the lung and removed.
- The surgeon checks for any remaining disease, controls bleeding, and closes the incision.
- A chest tube may be placed to drain fluid and air until the lung re-expands and heals.
Duration
The procedure typically takes 2-4 hours.
Setting
Lobectomies are performed in a hospital operating room.
Personnel
- Thoracic surgeon
- Anesthesiologist
- Surgical nurses
- Respiratory therapists (postoperatively)
Risks and Complications
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Air leaks
- Pneumonia
- Blood clots
- Risk of diminished lung function if complications arise
Close monitoring and prompt management in a hospital setting mitigate many of these risks.
Benefits
- Removal of diseased tissue
- Potential cure for localized lung cancer
- Symptom relief and improved breathing
- Prevention of disease spread
Benefits might be realized immediately or over several weeks as the lung heals.
Recovery
- Patients typically stay in the hospital for several days to a week.
- Pain management with medications, including opioids and anti-inflammatories.
- Breathing exercises and physical therapy are important for recovery.
- Follow-up appointments for wound checks and monitoring lung function.
- Patients may need several weeks to fully recover and should avoid strenuous activities during this period.
Alternatives
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for lung cancer
- Less invasive procedures like wedge resection or segmentectomy for smaller areas of disease
- Watchful waiting with regular monitoring in some benign conditions
Each alternative has its pros and cons based on the patient's specific condition and overall health.
Patient Experience
- Patients might experience postoperative pain, managed with medications.
- Breathing might be uncomfortable initially but improves with exercises and recovery.
- Emotionally, patients might feel anxiety before the procedure and relief afterward once they start to heal.
- Regular follow-up and support are key to a positive outcome.