Lobectomy, surgical removal of a whole section (lobe) of lung, is the signature operation of a large thoracic surgery program. Lobectomy is almost always performed to cure lung cancer. Our complication profile and rates are superior to most large thoracic surgery programs in the world.
Complications: Pneumonectomies, 2005-2008
Removing an entire lung (pneumonectomy) has the potential of a huge impact on subsequent quality of life and historically carries a high risk of operative death and complications (Specialists achieve better outcomes than generalists for lung cancer surgery. Silvestri et al. Chest 1998;114:675-80). There is no cardiac surgery that approaches the mortality rate for pneumonectomy, which is about triple that of mitral valve replacement (the highest risk cardiac surgery). For these reasons, Providence thoracic surgeons perform this surgery only as absolutely necessary to cure cancer or as a life-saving procedure. It is only performed in patients whose bodily processes are robust enough. Alternatives to pneumonectomy in appropriate patients include highly advanced procedures like sleeve resections, which is an equally effective cancer therapy with fewer complications.
Complications: Wedge Resections, 2005-2008
Removing less than an entire lobe or lung, wedge resection, carries a smaller risk of complications or death. Wedge resection is used to diagnose other lung conditions (non-cancerous nodules or lung tissue inflammation) or occasionally to treat lung cancer in patients not robust enough to tolerate lobectomy.
