Lung Surgery at Mayo Clinic

Lung Surgery provides specialized surgical evaluation and treatment for lung diseases, lung tumors, airway conditions and other disorders affecting the chest and respiratory system. Thoracic surgeons develop individualized surgical plans based on the patient's diagnosis, tumor or disease location, overall health and treatment goals. Depending on the condition, surgery may involve minimally invasive techniques or traditional open procedures.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of lung surgery depends on the type and complexity of the procedure, surgeon consultation, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, anesthesia, hospitalization, surgical technique, pathology, postoperative care and rehabilitation required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the patient's treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Lung Surgery?

Lung Surgery includes specialized surgical procedures used to diagnose or treat diseases affecting the lungs, airways and surrounding structures of the chest.

Lung surgery may be considered for:

• Lung cancer

• Lung tumors

• Pulmonary nodules

• Metastatic tumors

• Certain infections

• Lung damage

• Airway disorders

• Pleural conditions

• Selected congenital or structural abnormalities

Lung Surgery Evaluation

Before surgery, specialists may evaluate:

• Medical history

• Lung function

• Imaging studies

• Tumor characteristics

• Cancer stage when applicable

• Cardiovascular health

• Previous treatments

• Overall surgical risk

The findings help determine whether surgery is appropriate and which surgical approach may be most suitable.

Lung Cancer Surgery

Surgery may be an important treatment option for selected patients with localized or potentially resectable lung cancer.

Surgical procedures may include:

• Wedge resection

• Segmentectomy

• Lobectomy

• Pneumonectomy

• Lymph node evaluation

The appropriate procedure depends on the cancer's size, location, stage and the patient's overall health.

Wedge Resection

A wedge resection removes a small, wedge-shaped portion of lung tissue containing a tumor or abnormal area.

It may be considered for selected patients based on:

• Tumor size

• Tumor location

• Lung function

• Cancer characteristics

• Overall medical condition

Segmentectomy

A segmentectomy removes an anatomical segment of a lung rather than an entire lobe.

It may be considered for selected patients with certain localized lung tumors or other conditions when preserving lung tissue is appropriate.

Lobectomy

A lobectomy involves removing an entire lobe of the lung.

It is commonly used for selected patients with localized lung cancer when removal of the affected lobe provides appropriate local treatment.

Pneumonectomy

A pneumonectomy involves removal of an entire lung.

This is a major surgical procedure that may be considered when a tumor or disease cannot be adequately treated with a smaller lung resection.

Minimally Invasive Lung Surgery

Selected lung procedures may be performed using minimally invasive techniques.

These may include:

• Video-assisted thoracic surgery

• Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery

• Other specialized minimally invasive approaches

Potential advantages may include smaller incisions and potentially shorter recovery in appropriately selected patients.

Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) uses small incisions and specialized instruments to perform selected procedures within the chest.

VATS may be used for:

• Lung resections

• Lung biopsies

• Pulmonary nodules

• Pleural procedures

• Selected thoracic conditions

Robotic-Assisted Lung Surgery

Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery uses specialized surgical technology to assist with selected procedures.

It may provide surgeons with enhanced visualization and precise instrument control during appropriate lung and chest operations.

Suitability depends on the patient's condition and surgical requirements.

Open Lung Surgery

Some complex lung conditions require traditional open surgery through a larger chest incision.

Open surgery may be considered when:

• The disease is extensive

• The anatomy is complex

• A larger resection is required

• Minimally invasive surgery is not appropriate

Lymph Node Removal and Evaluation

During selected lung cancer operations, nearby lymph nodes may be sampled or removed.

Lymph node evaluation helps determine:

• Cancer stage

• Disease spread

• Need for additional treatment

Pathology specialists examine the removed tissue.

Lung Tumor Surgery

Surgery may be considered for selected benign or malignant lung tumors.

Treatment planning may depend on:

• Tumor size

• Tumor location

• Growth pattern

• Symptoms

• Pathology

• Overall health

Pulmonary Nodule Surgery

Some pulmonary nodules may require surgical evaluation or removal when:

• Cancer is suspected

• Biopsy is inconclusive

• The nodule continues to grow

• The location makes other biopsy methods difficult

• Removal is medically appropriate

Metastasectomy

Selected patients with cancer that has spread to the lungs may be considered for surgical removal of metastatic lesions.

Suitability depends on:

• Primary cancer type

• Number of lesions

• Location

• Disease elsewhere in the body

• Overall health

• Other available treatments

Pleural Surgery

Thoracic surgery may also address selected conditions affecting the pleura, the thin tissue surrounding the lungs.

Procedures may be considered for:

• Pleural tumors

• Pleural fluid problems

• Certain infections

• Pleural thickening

• Other chest conditions

Airway Surgery

Selected airway conditions may require surgical treatment.

Specialists may evaluate:

• Airway narrowing

• Airway tumors

• Structural abnormalities

• Complex airway disorders

Treatment depends on the location and severity of the condition.

Lung Biopsy Surgery

Surgical lung biopsy may be considered when a diagnosis cannot be established through less invasive methods.

The procedure allows tissue to be examined by pathology specialists to help identify the underlying lung disease.

Surgery for Severe Lung Disease

Selected patients with advanced or complicated lung disease may require surgical evaluation.

Treatment options depend on:

• Lung function

• Disease progression

• Symptoms

• Previous treatment

• Overall health

In certain circumstances, transplant evaluation may also be considered.

Preoperative Lung Function Testing

Lung function testing may be performed before surgery to assess respiratory reserve.

Testing may include:

• Spirometry

• Lung volume measurements

• Diffusion capacity

• Exercise testing

• Oxygen assessment

These results can help determine surgical suitability.

Preoperative Imaging

Imaging may be used to evaluate the anatomy and extent of disease before surgery.

Possible studies include:

• Chest X-ray

• CT scan

• PET scan

• MRI when appropriate

• Other specialized imaging

Preoperative Medical Evaluation

Patients may undergo assessment of:

• Heart function

• Lung function

• Nutritional status

• Current medications

• Previous surgeries

• Other medical conditions

The goal is to identify factors that may affect surgical safety and recovery.

Postoperative Lung Surgery Care

After surgery, patients may receive monitoring and treatment focused on:

• Breathing

• Pain control

• Oxygen levels

• Mobility

• Wound healing

• Lung expansion

• Prevention of complications

The recovery plan depends on the type of surgery.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation After Surgery

Selected patients may benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation after lung surgery.

Rehabilitation may focus on:

• Breathing exercises

• Walking

• Strength

• Exercise tolerance

• Functional recovery

• Gradual return to activity

Recovery After Lung Surgery

Recovery varies according to:

• Type of procedure

• Surgical approach

• Extent of lung tissue removed

• Overall health

• Presence of other medical conditions

• Postoperative complications

A personalized recovery plan is provided after surgery.

Multidisciplinary Lung Surgery

Complex lung conditions may require coordination between:

• Thoracic surgeons

• Pulmonologists

• Medical oncologists

• Radiation oncologists

• Radiologists

• Pathologists

• Anesthesiologists

• Rehabilitation specialists

A multidisciplinary approach can help coordinate diagnosis, surgery and additional treatment.

Second Opinion for Lung Surgery

Patients who have received a recommendation for lung surgery may seek a thoracic surgery second opinion.

Specialists may review:

• CT scans

• PET scans

• Biopsy results

• Pathology reports

• Lung function tests

• Previous medical records

• Proposed surgical procedure

The specialist can then determine whether surgery is appropriate and discuss possible alternatives.

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant medical records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Chest CT scans

• PET scans

• Chest X-rays

• Biopsy reports

• Pathology reports

• Pulmonary function tests

• Previous surgical reports

• Oncology records

• Current medication list

Benefits of Specialized Lung Surgery

Specialized lung surgery may help:

• Remove selected lung tumors

• Treat localized lung cancer

• Evaluate pulmonary nodules

• Obtain diagnostic tissue

• Treat selected pleural conditions

• Address certain airway disorders

• Remove selected metastatic lung lesions

• Provide minimally invasive surgical options

• Coordinate surgery with cancer treatment

• Support postoperative rehabilitation

Why Choose Mayo Clinic for Lung Surgery?

Mayo Clinic provides specialized thoracic surgical care for complex lung and chest conditions. Depending on the patient's diagnosis, care may involve thoracic surgeons working closely with pulmonologists, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and rehabilitation specialists.

Surgical options may include minimally invasive procedures, robotic-assisted surgery and open thoracic surgery when clinically appropriate.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost of lung surgery depends on the procedure and level of care required.

Potential costs may include:

• Thoracic surgery consultation

• Diagnostic imaging

• Pulmonary function testing

• Laboratory testing

• Anesthesia

• Surgical procedure

• Pathology

• Hospitalization

• Postoperative care

• Rehabilitation

• Follow-up consultations

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's individual surgical plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What types of lung surgery are available?

Depending on the condition, lung surgery may include wedge resection, segmentectomy, lobectomy, pneumonectomy and other specialized thoracic procedures.

2. Can lung cancer be treated with surgery?

Yes. Surgery may be an option for selected patients with localized or resectable lung cancer, depending on cancer stage, tumor location and overall health.

3. Is minimally invasive lung surgery possible?

Selected patients may be candidates for video-assisted or robotic-assisted thoracic surgery, depending on their diagnosis and surgical requirements.

4. How long does recovery from lung surgery take?

Recovery varies according to the type of surgery, extent of lung tissue removed, surgical approach and individual health.

5. How much does lung surgery cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on the surgical procedure, hospitalization, anesthesia, diagnostic testing, pathology and postoperative care.

Product Details

Product Name: Lung Surgery

Hospital: Mayo Clinic – Rochester

Brand: Mayo Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Pulmonology & Lung Surgery

Service Type: Lung Surgery

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Rochester, Minnesota, USA