CCRN Pneumonectomy

CCRN Pneumonectomy Overview

A pneumonectomy is a type of surgery to remove one of your lungs because of cancer, trauma, or some other condition.
You have two lungs: a right lung and a left lung. These lungs connect to your mouth through a series of tubes. Through these tubes, the lungs bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide from the body. Oxygen is necessary for all functions of your body. Carbon dioxide is a waste product that the body needs to get rid of. Most people can get by with only one lung instead of two, if needed. Usually, one lung can provide enough oxygen and remove enough carbon dioxide, unless the other lung is damaged.

Indications For Surgery

The most common reason for a pneumonectomy is to remove tumorous tissue arising from lung cancer. In the days prior to the use of antibiotics in tuberculosis treatment, tuberculosis was sometimes treated surgically by pneumonectomy.
The operation will reduce the respiratory capacity of the patient; before conducting a pneumonectomy, the surgeon will evaluate the ability of the patient to function after the lung tissue is removed. After the operation, patients are often given an incentive spirometer to help exercise their remaining lung and to improve breathing function.
A rib or two is sometimes removed to allow the surgeon better access to the lung.

• Lung Cancer
• Traumatic lung injury
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Fungal infections of the lung
• Bronchiectasis
• Congenital lung disease
• Bronchial blockage with a destroyed lung
• Pulmonary metastases (cancer that has spread to the lungs from another site in the body)

Surgical Risks

• Respiratory failure
• Blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism)
• Pneumonia
• Shock
• Complications from anesthesia
• Too much bleeding
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Reduced blood flow to the heart