Lung cancer treatment with thoracotomy surgery

In thoracotomy lung surgery, a cut is made in the chest (thorax) so the surgeon can reach the lungs. It is a major surgery usually only done when lung cancer is advanced, or other treatments have not worked. Before, the patient must be carefully checked out to decrease any possible risks. Before the surgery, the patient will be put to sleep with general anesthesia. A breathing tube will be put into the windpipe through the mouth. Next, the surgeons will cut into the chest on its side or in the middle. Then they will remove the cancerous tissue in the lungs with the help of special tools. Sometimes, the surgeons must also remove part or all of a lung. Once the cancerous tissue is gone, the stitches or staples are used to close the cut. The patient will be taken to a recovery room after the surgery to wake up from the anesthesia. Nurses will closely watch them for any problems and give painkillers as needed. It's important to remember that thoracotomy surgery is an open operation with many risks and possible problems. Therefore, the decision should be made after giving it much thought and talking to the medical team.