Table of Contents
- Overview
- Risks
- Recovery
- Prevention
Thoracotomy; Lung tissue removal; Pneumonectomy; Lobectomy; Lung biopsy; Thoracoscopy
Expectations after surgery
The outcome depends on the type and severity of the problem, but many patients recover nicely.
Convalescence
Hospital stay is usually 7 to 10 days. Deep breathing is important to help prevent pneumonia and infection and to re-expand the lung. The chest tube remains in place until the lung has fully expanded.
Pain is managed with medication. The patient usually recovers fully by 1 to 3 months after the operation.
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Review Date: 05/30/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA.
Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
