Wedge Resection, Lobectomy and Pneumonectomy Surgery

Image Description:

Illustration of wedge lung surgery (or wedge resection), lobectomy and pneumonectomy, used as treatments in cases of lung cancer. A wedge resection may be used instead of a lobectomy in cases where there is a risk of decreased lung function if too much of the lung is removed. A wedge section will remove the tumour as well as a small amount of normal lung tissue only.

A lobectomy is a common surgical procedure that removes a lobe of the lung containing cancerous cells. It is the most common type of surgery in cases of lung cancer, and is recommended if the cancer is in just one part of the lung. A removal of two lobes is called a bilobectomy.

A pneumonectory (the removal of a whole lung) is recommended if the cancerous tumour is in a central area or is affecting 2 lobes on the left or 3 lobes on the right. Although it involves removing a whole lung, it should not create any additional breathing problems in patients.

Image File Sizes:

Anatomy Visible in the Medical Illustration Includes:

Lung, lung cancer, surgery, wedge lung surgery, wedge resection, lobe, lobectomy, pulmonary lobectomy, pneumonectomy

Image created by:

Joanna Culley