Facing a lung resection? Here is what you need to know about recovery, types of surgery, and what to expect.

Hearing that you or someone you love needs a lung resection can feel overwhelming. You might wonder how a person can live with less lung tissue, or how difficult the recovery process will be.

It is completely normal to feel nervous or scared. However, medical science has made amazing advancements, making these surgeries much safer and more effective than ever before.

Let us walk through what a lung resection is, the different types available, how to prepare, and what your recovery journey will look like step by step.

What is a Lung Resection?

A lung resection, also called pulmonary resection, is an operation to remove a diseased part of your lung or your entire lung. Doctors may recommend this surgery to treat lung cancer, severe infections, or other serious chest conditions.

Sometimes, doctors perform this surgery just to take a small tissue sample, known as a biopsy, to figure out an exact diagnosis. You have two lungs in your chest, and each lung is divided into sections called lobes.

Your right lung has three lobes. This your left lung has two lobes. During surgery, your doctor can remove a single lobe, part of a lobe, or even your entire lung.

Even though this is a major operation, your body can adapt. Many people live healthy, active lives after losing a portion of their lung tissue.

Types of Lung Resections

Surgeons use different procedures depending on your specific medical condition and how much lung tissue needs to be removed. Here are the main types of lung resection surgeries:

Conditions Treated With Lung Resection

Doctors perform lung resections to treat several different health problems. The most common reasons include:

• Lung Cancer: Especially cancers caught in early stages like stage I, II, or sometimes stage III.
• Metastatic Cancer: Cancers that started in other parts of the body and spread to the lungs.
• Benign Tumors: Non-cancerous growths or suspicious lung nodules that need removal.
• Bronchiectasis: A chronic condition where your airways stay permanently widened and trap thick mucus.
• Emphysema: A lung disease where air sacs are damaged, making breathing difficult.
• Lung Abscesses: Pockets of pus caused by severe bacterial infections.
• Severe Trauma: Serious physical injuries to the chest from accidents.

Main Surgical Approaches

Surgeons typically use two main methods to perform a lung resection. Your medical team will choose the best approach based on your health needs.

1. Minimally Invasive Thoracoscopic Surgery: This method uses small cuts instead of one large opening. Doctors often call this VATS, which stands for Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery. The surgeon makes a few tiny cuts in your chest and inserts a thin tube with a tiny camera.

They watch a video monitor and use specialized instruments to complete the surgery. Doctors can also use robotic assistance, known as Robotic VATS or RVATS. The major benefits of this approach include less pain and a faster recovery time.

2. Open Surgery or Thoracotomy: This is a more traditional, larger operation. The surgeon makes a cut along your side between your ribs to open your chest and reach your lung. Doctors usually choose this method for larger tumors or more complex chest conditions.

How to Prepare for Your Surgery

Preparing well for your lung resection helps your body heal faster. Your doctor will give you specific guidelines to follow before your hospital visit.

• You will need to stop eating and drinking for a specific number of hours before your operation.
• Tell your doctor about every medicine, vitamin, and herbal supplement you take. You may need to stop blood thinners days before surgery.
• If you smoke, you must quit smoking right away. Quitting smoking drastically reduces your risk of breathing problems after surgery.
• Pack comfortable clothes and personal items for your hospital stay, and arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you home.
• Expect pre-op tests such as blood work, lung function tests, a chest X-ray, a CT scan, and an electrocardiogram or ECG.

What Happens After Surgery and Recovery Time

After your surgery, nurses will move you to a recovery room until you wake up from anesthesia. From there, you will transfer to a hospital ward for a stay lasting anywhere from two days to a week.

Your hospital stay depends on the type of surgery you had and how fast your body heals. Doctors usually place a thin plastic tube called a chest tube into your chest during surgery to drain extra fluid and air.

Medical staff will remove this tube after a day or two once your breathing stabilizes. You will likely feel tired and experience some shortness of breath at first, which is completely normal.

Your nursing and physical therapy team will teach you deep breathing exercises and coughing techniques to keep your lungs clear. You might also need supplemental oxygen for a short time.

Your overall recovery timeline depends on your surgical method:

• If you had a VATS procedure with small cuts, you can often return to light daily activities within two weeks.
• If you had open thoracotomy surgery, your body will need a month or more of rest and healing to fully recover.

Risks and Potential Complications

Like any major surgery, a lung resection carries some risks. Understanding these possibilities helps you spot issues early.

• Air leaks from the remaining lung tissue.
• Temporary irregular heart rhythms or arrhythmias.
• Bleeding or blood pooling in the chest cavity, known as a hemothorax.
• Lung infections like pneumonia.
• Infections at your surgical incision sites.
• Blood clots in your lungs or legs, known as a pulmonary embolism.
• Uncommon reactions to general anesthesia.

Your surgical team takes every precaution to prevent these risks. Following your doctor's post-op instructions and avoiding tobacco smoke will protect your health during recovery.

When to Call Your Doctor or Seek Emergency Care

Once you return home, watch closely for signs of trouble so you can get medical help right away.

Will Removed Lung Tissue Grow Back?

No, lung tissue does not grow back like skin or liver tissue once it is surgically removed. However, your body adapts remarkably well to this change.

Your remaining lung tissue expands and works harder to take over the workload. Over time, many patients notice that their breathing improves and they feel comfortable during daily tasks.