Thoracic Surgery extra

• Indications for Thoracic Surgery:

  • Resection whole or part of a lung
  • Lung or bronchial carcinoma
  • Infection
  • Bronchiectasis, abscess, TB
  • Emphysema
  • Resistant atelectasis
  • Trauma
  • Pleural disease or dysfunction
  • Chest wall disease or dysfunction
• Bronchial Stenting:

  • a stent is a hollow tube put in where theres compression/closing of a airway
  • this keeps the airway dilated
  • its done if the cancer is inoperable due to its location or size

  
• Lung Transplantation:

  • Heart and lung transplant - both from one donor
  • Single / Double lung transplant
  • Live lobe transplant - relatives donating a lobe
• Lung Volume Reduction Surgery:

  • Used in treatment of emphysema
  • Removal of part of overexpanded lung
  • Creates more space in the thoracic cage
  • Allows normalisation diaphragmatic / rib mechanics
  • Potential improved respiratory function
  • Reduced V/Q mismatch - due to removal of bullae which is an area of alveolar dead space causing decrease in overall arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration
• Fluid Drainage and Decortication:

  • syringe used to drain fluid from around the lung
  • vacuum bottle collects pleural fluid