167 doctors in India — verified profiles, ratings, fees and clinic or online consultation.
MBBS, MS - General Surgery, DNB - Surgical Oncology
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Akash Dhuru is a Surgical Oncologist in Mumbai and has an experience of 10 years. Dr. Akash Dhuru practices at S.L. Raheja Fortis Hospital in Mahim West,…
MD - Physician, Diploma in Tuberculosis Diseases (TDD)
Pulmonology
Dr. Indu Bubna is a Pulmonologist in Malad West , Mumbai. She has an experience of more than 15 years in the field of respiratory medicine . She is available…
MBBS, DNB - Pulmonary Medicine
Pulmonology
Dr. Ravindra U Rupawate is a Pulmonologist in Thane West, Thane and has an experience of 38 years in this field. Dr. Ravindra U Rupawate practices at Jupiter…
MBBS, MD - Pulmonary Medicine, DAA - Diploma in Allergy Asthma and Immunology, DNB - Pulmonary Medicine
Pulmonology
Dr. Jeenam Shah is a Consultant Chest Physician & Interventional Pulmonologist attached to many reputed Hospitals across Mumbai. He has completed his graduat…
MBBS, MD - Respiratory Medicine, DNB - Respiratory Diseases
Pulmonology
Dr. Avya Bansal is a Pulmonologist and Somnologist (Sleep Specialist) in Marine Lines, Mumbai and has an experience of 7 years in these fields. Dr. Avya Bans…
MBBS, DNB - Respiratory Diseases
Pulmonology
Dr. Sumant Mantri is a Pulmonologist in Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore and has an experience of 26 years in this field. Dr. Sumant Mantri practices at Apollo H…
MBBS, DNB - Respiratory Diseases
Pulmonology
Dr. Mohd Abdul Quddus is a Pulmonologist in Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad and has an experience of 15 years in this field. Dr. Mohd Abdul Quddus practices at Apollo…
MBBS, MD - Pulmonary Medicine
Pulmonology
Dr. Ansuman Mukhopadhayay is a Pulmonologist with 28 years of experience in his field. He practices at Fortis Hospital in Mukundapur, Kolkata and Amri Hospit…
MBBS, MS - General Surgery, MCh - Thoracic Surgery
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Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Dr. Rajan Santosham is the Chairmen and Senior Thoracic Surgeon of the Santosham Chest Hospital. He is also a Senior Consultant in Thoracic Surgery in Apollo…
MBBS, MD - General Medicine
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Family Medicine
Dr. Ravi Santosham was trained by his father the Late Dr. Mathuram Santosham right from his formative years as a young medical student in the management and…
MBBS, Diploma in Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases (DTCD)
Pulmonology
Dr. S.Jayaraman is a Pulmonologist in Anna Nagar, Chennai and has an experience of 15 years in this field. Dr. S.Jayaraman practices at Apollo Medical Center…
MBBS, MD - Pulmonary Medicine
Pulmonology
Dr. Mallikarjun Rao is a Pulmonologist in Vijaynagar Colony, Hyderabad and has an experience of 20 years in this field. Dr. Mallikarjun Rao practices at Alek…
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A pneumonectomy is a major surgical procedure in which one entire lung is removed. It is usually performed to treat serious lung diseases, most commonly lung cancer, when the disease affects a large portion of the lung and cannot be treated by removing only a small section.
The lungs are responsible for supplying oxygen to the body and removing carbon dioxide. When one lung becomes severely damaged due to cancer, infection, or injury, removing it may help prevent the disease from spreading and improve survival.
During the surgery, the surgeon removes the affected lung while the patient is under general anesthesia. After the procedure, the remaining lung gradually adjusts and takes over most of the breathing function.
Pneumonectomy is considered a major thoracic surgery, and doctors carefully evaluate the patient’s health before recommending it. The decision is usually made when the benefits of removing the diseased lung are greater than the risks of surgery.
Doctors may recommend pneumonectomy for patients with severe lung conditions such as:
● Lung cancer affecting a large part of the lung
● Mesothelioma or cancer of the lung lining
● Severe lung infections or destroyed lung tissue
● Bronchiectasis causing extensive lung damage
● Tuberculosis-related lung damage
● Serious chest trauma or injury
● Large tumors involving major lung blood vessels
A doctor will perform imaging tests, lung function tests, and physical examinations to determine if the patient can safely undergo the surgery.
There are a few different types of pneumonectomy depending on the condition being treated.
1. Simple Pneumonectomy
This involves the removal of one entire lung without removing other surrounding tissues.
2. Radical Pneumonectomy
In this type, the surgeon removes the lung along with nearby lymph nodes and tissues to treat cancer.
3. Extra pleural Pneumonectomy
This procedure removes the lung, part of the diaphragm, pleura (lung lining), and nearby tissues. It is often performed for advanced cancers such as mesothelioma.
The type of surgery depends on the stage of the disease and the patient’s overall health.
Pneumonectomy is usually performed in a hospital by a thoracic surgeon and may take several hours.
1. Pre-Surgery Evaluation
Before surgery, doctors perform tests such as CT scans, chest X-rays, blood tests, and lung function tests to assess the patient’s condition.
2. Anesthesia
The patient is given general anesthesia, so they remain asleep and pain-free during the procedure.
3. Surgical Incision
The surgeon makes an incision in the chest to access the lungs.
4. Lung Removal
The diseased lung is carefully separated from surrounding tissues, blood vessels, and airways, and then removed.
5. Closure
After removing the lung, the surgeon closes the incision and places tubes to drain fluid or air from the chest.
Patients are then moved to a recovery or intensive care unit for monitoring.
Recovery from pneumonectomy may take several weeks or even months, depending on the patient’s health and the complexity of the surgery.
Common aspects of recovery include:
● Hospital stay of about 5–10 days after surgery
● Pain or discomfort near the incision area
● Temporary shortness of breath while the body adjusts to breathing with one lung
● Limited physical activity for 1–2 months
Doctors often recommend:
● Breathing exercises and pulmonary rehabilitation
● Gradual increase in physical activity
● Avoiding heavy lifting during early recovery
● Regular follow-up appointments to monitor healing
Over time, the remaining lung expands and helps compensate for the lost lung function.
Pneumonectomy is a high-risk surgery, and complications may occur during or after the procedure.
Possible complications include:
● Respiratory failure or breathing difficulties
● Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
● Pneumonia or lung infection
● Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
● Excessive bleeding
● Air leaks in the chest cavity
● Shock or complications from anesthesia
Some patients may also experience long-term shortness of breath, especially during physical activity.
Careful medical monitoring and proper rehabilitation help reduce the risk of these complications.
A pneumonectomy is a surgical procedure in which an entire lung is removed to treat severe lung diseases such as lung cancer or serious infections.
Yes, pneumonectomy is considered a major surgery because it involves removing an entire lung and requires general anesthesia and hospital recovery.
The surgery usually takes several hours, depending on the complexity of the case and the patient’s condition.
Recovery may take several weeks to a few months. During this time, patients gradually regain strength and adapt to breathing with one lung.
Yes, many people live normal lives with one lung. The remaining lung usually expands and compensates for the lost lung function over time.
Some patients may experience shortness of breath initially, especially during physical activity, but breathing often improves as the body adapts.
Possible risks include infection, pneumonia, blood clots, heart rhythm problems, and breathing complications.
