Lung Surgery

There are two types of surgery: thoracoscopy and thoracotomy, both invlove entering the chest wall to get to the lung. Lung surgery may be needed to help treat or diagnose a problem found during a routine test.

Procedures Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Carotid Endarterectomy /Carotid Artery Stenting Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG) Endovenous Laser Therapy(EVLT) Heart Valve Repair/ Replacement Surgery Lung Surgery Vascular Studies

• Thoracoscopy uses several small incisions. The surgeon will place a thin tube containing a camera through these incisions to view the lung on a video monitor. This procedure can be used to repair a collapsed lung; to examine, stage and biopsy a mass in the lung; or to drain fluid from around the lungs.
• Thoracotomy uses a larger incision in the chest, allowing the surgeon to see the lung and area around it directly. Additional procedures may be done, such as removing all or part of a lung if a mass is found.

Visualization and Biopsy Tests

Visualization tests can allow a surgeon to see the inside of the lung and the area around the lungs. A biospy or small sample of lung tissue may be taken for later examination. Possible tests include:

• Bronchoscopy, which uses a thin lighted tube inserted through the nose or mouth to examine the breathing passages at the entrance to your lungs.
• Mediastinoscopy, during which a tube is inserted through an incision above the breastbone to look at the area between the lungs.
• Mediastinotomy, the lymph nodes in the chest are examined through an incision in the chest wall, and a biopsy may be done.
• Needle biopsy, this involves the insertion of a needle through the chest wall or a thin lighted tube to collect tissue or fluid.