A lung resection is a surgical procedure where all (Pneumonectomy) or part (Lobectomy) of the lung is removed. A lung resection may be performed to treat an infection or disease of the lungs such as cancer, emphysema, or bronchiectasis.
During a lobectomy, one or multiple lobes are removed from your lungs. The lungs in your body are made up of five sections called lobes, 3 in your right lung and 2 in the left. A lobectomy removes one of these lobes that may be damaged from disease or an infection. Lobectomy is usually the main treatment for people with early stages of lung cancer. It may also be performed to treat the following:
- Tuberculosis
- Emphysema
- Bronchiectasis
- Non-cancerous (benign) tumors
- Infections (fungal)
- Abscess that doesn’t heal on its own
