Thoracotomy; Lung tissue removal; Pneumonectomy; Lobectomy; Lung biopsy; Thoracoscopy; Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; VATS

Risks for any anesthesia include:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
• Heart attack or stroke during surgery
• Infection, including in the incision, lungs, bladder or kidney

Risks of this surgery include:

• Failure of the lung to expand
• Injury to the lungs or blood vessels
• Need for a chest tube after surgery
• Pain
• Prolonged air leak
• Repeated fluid buildup in the chest cavity

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Lung surgery Overview

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Lung surgery Recovery

Review Date: 05/17/2010
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)