Type of Surgery
Information

Last updated: 11/24/2009
The outcome of lobectomies depends on the general condition of the patient's lung. This variability is related to the fact that lung tissue does not regenerate after it is removed. Therefore, removal of a large portion of the lung may require a person...
to need oxygen or ventilator support for the rest of his or her life. On the other hand, removal of only a small portion of the lung may result in very little change to the patient's quality of life.
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The animation explains how the lungs provide oxygen to and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. The specialized anatomy of the air sac in the lung allows the gas exchange to occur efficiently, as discussed and shown in the video.
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Other Information
Definition
A lobectomy is the removal of a lobe, or section, of the lung.
Purpose
Lobectomies are performed to prevent the spread of cancer to other parts of the lung or other parts of the body, as well as to treat patients with such noncancerous diseases as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which cause airway obstruction.
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