Lobectomy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Cost

A lobectomy is a surgical procedure that includes the removal of a lobe (or section) of the lung. It is typically used to treat lung cancer and other types of lung disease.

• Lobectomy with Resection of the Bronchus: This type of lobectomy involves removing a lobe and the bronchus that supplies it. The goal is to remove the entire lobe, including any cancerous tissue, while preserving as much healthy lung tissue as possible.
• Lobectomy without Resection of the Bronchus: This type of lobectomy involves removing only the lobe and not the bronchus that supplies it. The objective is to remove all malignant tissue while retaining as much normal lung tissue as possible.
• Segmental Lobectomy: A segmental lobectomy is a more specialised form of lobectomy that involves removing only a portion of a lobe. This type of surgery is usually used when there are multiple tumours in different segments or when there is concern about preserving function in one part of the lung more than another part.
• Sleeve Lobectomy: A sleeve lobectomy is a procedure in which part or all of an airway (bronchus) along with an entire lobe are removed from the lungs at once. It can be used to treat both benign and malignant tumours, and it has been shown to be effective in treating certain types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The benefits of a lobectomy include:

• Improved quality of life: A lobectomy can improve the overall quality of life for those suffering from lung cancer or other serious diseases by reducing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and pain.
• Increased longevity: A lobectomy can also increase the patient’s lifespan by removing cancerous or diseased tissue that could potentially spread to other areas of the body.
• Reduced risk of complications: By removing diseased tissue, a lobectomy can reduce the risk of complications associated with certain types of lung disease, such as infection or bleeding.
• Improved breathing capacity: Removing a lobe from the lungs can help improve breathing capacity and reduce fatigue due to increased oxygen intake into the body.
• Improved appearance: In some cases, a lobectomy can improve the appearance of an individual’s chest by reducing bulkiness caused by an enlarged lobe due to illness or injury.

• The most common reason for performing a lobectomy is to treat cancer that has spread to the lungs from another part of the body.
• Additionally, it may be used to treat lung diseases including pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
• In some cases, a lobectomy may be done as part of a larger surgery, such as removing tumours or parts of the chest wall.

Among the potential complications of lobectomy surgery are:

• Bleeding during or after the procedure.
• Infection
• Damage to nearby organs such as the lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
• Pneumonia or other respiratory complications.
• Blood clots in the lung or leg veins.
• Vocal cord injury, which may cause hoarseness or trouble speaking.
• Anaesthesia-related complications such as nausea, vomiting, and sore throat.
• Long-term pain at the incision site.

• Talk with your doctor: Before the surgery, talk to your physician about any of your worries and questions. Make sure that you understand what will happen during the surgery and any potential risks or side effects associated with it.
• Get a physical exam: Before having any kind of surgery, it's essential to get a physical assessment from your doctor to make sure you're healthy enough to undergo the procedure.
• Quit smoking: If you smoke, you should stop at least two weeks before your surgery. This is because smoking raises your risk of problems during and after the operation.
• Follow pre-operative instructions: Your doctor may give you instructions on how to prepare for your lobectomy such as fasting before surgery or avoiding certain medications or supplements prior to the procedure.
• Have someone drive you home: It is important that someone drives you home after your lobectomy as anesthesia can cause drowsiness and impair motor skills for several hours afterwards.

• During a lobectomy, the surgeon makes an incision in the chest and removes the affected lobe or part of it. The remaining healthy tissue is then sewn together.
• Depending on the type and size of tumor, some patients may require more extensive surgery such as a pneumonectomy (removal of an entire lung) or segmental resection (removal of only part of one lobe).
• In order to achieve the highest possible degree of cancer control, surgery may, in some instances, be combined with either chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

• Perform a physical exam and obtain laboratory tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), coagulation profile, chemistry panel, and chest X-ray.
• Prepare an intravenous line for administering medications during surgery.
• Antibiotics should be given before surgery in order to lower the patient's risk of infection.
• Set up monitoring equipment such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine to monitor heart rate during surgery.
• Administer sedatives or general anesthesia prior to beginning surgery depending on the type of lobectomy being performed and preference of surgeon/anesthesiologist team.

• Make an incision in the chest wall in order to access the lung.
• Isolate and clamp the pulmonary artery and bronchus of the lobe to be removed.
• Divide the fissures between lobes, which are small folds of tissue that separate them from one another.
• Cut through the connective tissue and remove the lobe from its attachments to other structures, such as veins and arteries, as well as lymph nodes if necessary
• Carefully inspect all tissue for any remaining cancer cells or other abnormalities before sealing off open blood vessels with sutures or clips and removing any remaining air pockets in order to prevent air leakage into the chest cavity after surgery is complete.
• Close up the incision with sutures or staples, depending on your surgeon’s preference, and dress it with a sterile dressing or bandage before moving onto post-operative care instructions with your patient

• Monitor vital signs: After the procedure, it is important to monitor the patient's vital signs closely.
• Administer pain medications: Pain medications will likely be administered to the patient after the lobectomy procedure to help manage any discomfort or pain associated with the surgery.
• Monitor for infection: The patient should be monitored closely for any signs of infection such as fever, redness, swelling or pus drainage at the surgical site.
• Monitor for complications: Complications such as bleeding, air leaks from the lungs or fluid buildup in the chest cavity should be monitored closely and treated appropriately if they occur.
• Provide respiratory therapy: Respiratory therapy may be provided to help improve breathing after a lobectomy procedure as well as reduce any risk of complications that could arise due to reduced lung function post-surgery.
• Maintain nutrition and hydration: It is important that patients maintain adequate nutrition and hydration levels during recovery from a lobectomy procedure in order to facilitate healing and reduce risk of infection or other complications associated with poor nutrition or dehydration post-surgery.

Generally speaking, the cost can range from anywhere between Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 1 lakh or more.

Some specific foods that may be beneficial after a lobectomy include:

• Foods high in protein yet low in fat, such as fish, poultry, beans.
• Fruits such as apples, oranges and bananas.
• Vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and kale.
• Whole grains such as oats, brown rice.
• Fats that are good for you, such those found in olive oil and avocados.
• Dairy products that are low in fat such as low-fat yoghurt and cottage cheese.
• Herbs and spices for added flavor without added salt.
• Water for hydration.

Yes, lobectomy is generally considered to be safe.

Potential risks and problems may be connected with the surgery.

Generally speaking, patients who undergo a lobectomy experience significant pain in the chest area, as well as shoulder and neck pain.

Pain medication is usually provided to help control this pain.

Generally, patients can expect to spend 1-2 weeks in the hospital following their surgery.

The recovery process can take anywhere from 3-6 months before a person is fully recovered and back to their normal activities.

The most common side effects of a lobectomy include:

• Pain
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung).
• Other potential side effects include:
• Scarring of the lungs
• Pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs)
• Damage to other organs.
• In rare cases, a lobectomy may cause death.

• Rest: After surgery, it is essential to receive enough rest. This permits the body to recuperate from the treatment and heal.
• Wound Care: After surgery, you need to take care of your wounds correctly in order to heal. Keep the wound clean and dry, and change any dressings when your doctor tells you to.
• Pain Management: Pain management is important for recovery after surgery, so it is important to take any medications as prescribed by your doctor.
• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy may be recommended after a lobectomy in order to help improve breathing capacity and regain strength in the affected area of the lung.

The lobectomy is a major surgical procedure that requires extensive preparation and recovery time. It involves the removal of an entire lobe of the lung, which can be done to treat a variety of conditions, including cancer, infection, and trauma.

The surgery's success relies on the patient's health and tolerance. After a lobectomy, patients may experience several side effects such as pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood. However, most individuals may resume their regular activities after a time of recovery with the right care and treatment.