A surgeon can use one of two types of surgery for a lung resection:
Your provider will give you instructions on how to prepare for lung resection. Following their directions closely can reduce your risk of complications VSports注册入口. Tell your healthcare provider about any medications you take, including supplements, and if you have an implanted medical device (like a joint replacement, artificial heart valve or pacemaker).
Before a lung resection, you may need to:
Depending on why you’re getting a lung resection, you might need to get a few tests or imaging before the procedure. These include: V体育官网入口.
What happens during lung resection depends on:
Generally, during lung resection:
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Lung resection can take three to six hours depending on your specific circumstances.
After lung resection, your care team will take you to a recovery room, where you’ll begin to wake up. You can typically expect to spend about two to three days in the hospital V体育2025版. But the length of your hospital stay depends on the type of surgery you had and how well you’re recovering.
Most people will need chest tubes for 24 to 48 hours after their surgery, but sometimes, they stay in longer.
People who have VATS or RVATS instead of thoracotomy tend to have:
Like all surgeries, lung resections come with the risk of complications V体育官网. Possible complications include:.
If you have a thoracotomy, you’ll usually need to limit your activity for about a month. People who have VATS or RVATS often return to their regular activities in two weeks. Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on what activities are safe and what to limit.
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You may feel short of breath after your surgery. Your healthcare providers may teach you coughing or deep breathing exercises to help keep your lungs clear. You may need supplemental oxygen for a short time to help with your recovery.
You may also notice some swelling in your legs. If you notice that this worsens after you go home, contact your surgeon.
Your recovery after a lung resection can take anywhere from weeks to months. How fast you recover depends on:
The best way to take care of yourself after a lung resection is to follow your provider’s instructions for keeping your lungs clear and how to safely return to normal activities. Drink plenty of fluids to keep your bowel movements (pooping) regular and avoid constipation. If your bowel movements aren’t regular, ask your provider about fiber supplements.
The mortality (death) rate for lung resection varies by what kind of resection, what condition it’s treating, overall health and other factors. Generally, the more tissue a surgeon removes, the higher the mortality. For example, studies suggest pneumonectomy for lung cancer has a mortality rate of around 5%, while wedge resections have a mortality rate of less than 1%. Keep in mind that these numbers only include mortality during or soon after the surgery.
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Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms after your surgery:
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you:
Lung resections are most effective for treating early-stage non-small cell lung cancers (that haven’t spread outside your lung) and carcinoid tumors (a type of slow-growing cancer). But providers can’t predict whether it will completely cure you. You may need chemotherapy or radiation after a lung resection to treat cancer.
No, lung tissue heals but doesn’t grow back after surgery (unlike your liver, which can grow back to most of its normal size after removing part of it).
Lung resection is a major surgery and can have a significant impact on your life. Give yourself plenty of time and patience while you recover. You may need to ask friends or family to help out while you regain your stamina. Ask your provider what to expect and when you can resume your typical activities. Don’t hesitate to contact them if you’re experiencing unexpected symptoms or if something just doesn’t feel right.
If you have lung cancer, you might feel alone and afraid. You don’t have to be. Cleveland Clinic is here to help find and treat your cancer at any stage.
Last reviewed on 01/15/2025.
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