The lung surgery can be daunting, filled with questions and anxieties. However, understanding each stage of the process can significantly alleviate your worries and empower you as a patient.
In this blog post, our aim is to provide a clear, step-by-step overview of what to expect during lung surgery, from preparation to recovery, helping you navigate this journey with greater confidence.
Pre-Surgery: The Foundation for Success
The weeks before your operation are a key period to get the best results. A range of tests and preparations will probably be carried out to make you as healthy as possible before the procedure.
1. Thorough Assessment
Your medical team will carry out a detailed assessment, which involves a good medical history, physical test, and other tests. These may be
- Imaging Scans: Chest X-rays, CT scans, and in some cases, PET scans to accurately identify the problem in the lungs and determine its severity.
- Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs): This is a test to evaluate the functioning of your lungs and will enable the surgeons to know whether you will be left with enough lung capacity after the surgery.
- Blood Tests: To examine your general health, kidney and liver health, and the ability of blood clotting.
- Cardiac Assessment: An ECG, 2D Echo and possibly other heart investigations.
2. Meeting Your Surgical Team
It is your chance to ask any questions, to talk about your concerns, and to know the details of your planned procedure. Do not be afraid to ask questions regarding the kind of surgery, the risks involved, the estimated time of recovery, and the alternative treatment.
3. Pre-Operative Instructions
You may be asked to discontinue some drugs (such as blood-thinning drugs) several days before your surgery. Fasting instructions will also be recommended, whereby you are usually not allowed to eat or drink several hours before the procedure. It is also a good idea to make transportation arrangements to go to the hospital.
4. Smoking Cessation
In case you are a smoker, you will be highly encouraged to stop smoking as soon as possible. Smoking cessation considerably decreases the chance of problems during and after the operation and enhances the general healing.
In the Operating Room: The Operation Itself
After the administration of anesthesia, you will be asleep, and you will not experience any pain or even know that surgery is taking place.
1. Anesthesia Administration
The anesthesiologist will deliver the drugs to make you undergo general anesthesia. And you will slowly fall asleep. This will involve insertion of a breathing tube into your windpipe to maintain satisfactory oxygenation and ventilation during the operation.
2. The Surgical Incision
The nature of the incision and its position vary with the nature of the lung surgery taking place. The popular strategies are
- Thoracotomy: A conventional open wound is created amid the ribs on one side of the chest.
- Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS): A minimally invasive approach using several small incisions and a camera (thoracoscope) to guide the surgeon.
- Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS): Similar to VATS but utilizing robotic arms for enhanced precision and dexterity.
3. The Lung Procedure
The surgeon will then operate as planned, which may be a:
- Wedge Resection: Removal of a small, wedge-shaped piece of lung tissue
- Segmentectomy: Removal of one or more segments of a lung lobe.
- Lobectomy: Removal of an entire lobe of the lung.
- Pneumonectomy: Removal of a whole lung (less common).
- Pleurodesis: A procedure to prevent recurrent fluid buildup around the lung.
4. Chest Tube Placement
Following the lung procedure, one or more chest tubes are commonly placed using small openings in your chest. The tube aids in draining air, fluid, and blood in the chest cavity, thereby enabling the remaining lung to reinflate and heal.
5. Closure
When the surgical goals have been achieved, the surgeon will close the cuts using sutures or staples. The breathing tube will be left in until you are awake under anesthesia.
Post-Surgery: Road to Recovery
The first days after the operation are important in terms of stabilization and primary recovery.
- Recovery Room (PACU): You’ll be transferred to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), also known as the recovery room. Nurses will closely watch your vital signs, pain, and chest tube functionality. Waking up after using anesthesia may make you feel sleepy, confused, or a bit nauseated.
- Pain Management: The treatment of pain is a priority. You will be given pain medicine in your IV, epidural catheter, or by mouth as you can tolerate. Do not be shy to inform your nurses of your pain levels to enable them to increase or decrease your medication.
- Hospital Stay: Your hospital stay will depend on the surgery, your general health, and complications. It is generally between a few days and a week or even more. Throughout this period, you will be bringing up your activity levels slowly.
- Chest Tube Management: Chest tubes will be left inserted until the drainage is small and the air leak is absent. They are necessary to permit the re-expansion of your lungs. Nurses will empty and recheck the functioning of the tubes regularly.
- Respiratory Therapy: You will be encouraged to breathe deeply and to promote your lungs to expand, and avoid complications such as pneumonia. Circulation and lung functioning will also be enhanced through early mobilization, including sitting up in bed.
Conclusion
Reach out to your support group, talk to your medical team, and don’t hesitate to get professional assistance. Although lung surgery is a major medical procedure, through proper preparation, an experienced surgical team, and postoperative care, most patients have a successful recovery. Being aware of all the stages of this journey, you will be able to tackle your lung surgery with the Center for Lung Surgery at Dr. Bhanushali Hospital Thane. They will help you in making an informed decision and give you a feeling of empowerment to look forward to a healthier future.
FAQs
How long does lung surgery typically last?
Lung surgery duration varies greatly depending on the complexity and type of procedure. It can range from 1-2 hours for minor resections to several hours.
Will I have much pain after lung surgery?
Pain management is a priority. You’ll receive medication through IV, epidural, or orally to control discomfort, while some pain is expected.
When can I return to normal activities after lung surgery?
Recovery is gradual. Light activities like walking can start soon after surgery. Strenuous activities and heavy lifting are restricted.