Pneumonectomy and Lobectomy

Question 1

What is a pneumonectomy

Answer 1

The surgical removal of a lung

Question 2

What are some indications for a pneumonectomy

Answer 2

Malignant - malignant mesothelioma, non-small cell lung carcinoma

Benign - chronic lung infection (multiple abscesses, TB, bronchiectais), trauma

Question 3

What are some contraindications for a pneumonectomy

Answer 3

Predicted postoperative FEV1 less than 0.8L
Severe valvular disease
Severe pulmonary hypertension
Poor ventricular function

Question 4

Where is a pneumonectomy scar

Answer 4

Thoracotomy scar

Question 5

What is a lobectomy

Answer 5

Surgical removal of one of the lobes of the lung

Question 6

How many lobes does the right lung have

Answer 6

3

Question 7

What are the indications for a lobectomy

Answer 7

Lung cancer

Also, localised bleeding from the lung, pulmonary infarction, lung abscess, localised bronchiectasis

Question 8

Where is a lobectomy scar

Answer 8

Thoracotomy

Question 9

How can you differentiate from a pneumonectomy and a lobectomy in a patient with a thoracotomy scar

Answer 9

Both have - reduced chest expansion, dull percussion note, no breath sounds

In a lobectomy the signs are confined to the one area, whereas in a pneumonectomy the signs are throughout the entire lung are

In a pneumonectomy there is tracheal displacement to the side of the removal. No tracheal deviation in a lobectomy