Lung Conditions and Procedures

LUNG

Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term progressive disease of the air sacs of the lung that causes shortness of breath due to over inflation of these air sacs in the lungs. For emphysema patients, the lung tissue involved in the exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) is impaired or destroyed. Emphysema is included in a group of diseases called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD. Cigarette smoking is by far the most preventable risk factor for this disease.

Shortness of breath and a cough are the most common symptoms. Pursed lips breathing is the hallmark sign where the person struggles to completely exhale.

Medication, cessation of smoking, antibiotics and oxygen are the first line of treatment. In severe cases, surgery such as lung volume reduction surgery is often undertaken, or in very advanced cases a lung transplant of either one or both lungs.

Lobectomy
This is where one of the lobes of the lung is surgically removed either by an open incision or using a minimally invasive video assisted thoroscopic (VATS) surgical technique. VATS technique is discussed in the video on the home page of this website. Lobectomies are commonly used to treat early stage lung cancers.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.

Symptoms include:

  • A cough that is new, changed or doesn’t go away
  • Coughing up blood
  • Wheezing, trouble breathing or shortness of breath
  • Chest pain and/or shoulder pain or discomfort – the pain may be worse with coughing or deep breathing
  • Hoarseness when you speak
  • Diminished appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Infections like pneumonia or bronchitis that recur
  • Jaundice, headache, swollen lymph nodes in later stages
  • Weight loss and loss of appetite

Many conditions can cause these symptoms not just lung cancer. If you have any of these symptoms, that are not otherwise explained and they persist, you should talk your GP.

Pleurodesis
This is a surgical procedure to treat a collapsed lung. The procedure encourages the two layers of tissue that surround the lungs to prevent from refilling with fluid that may have collected in this space. The fluid collected in this space is called an effusion.
Pneumonectomy
This is a surgical procedure that involves removing an entire lung, usually used to remove cancerous tissue.
Thoracic Sympathectomy
This procedure is performed using minimally invasive video techniques to block the nerves that cause excessive sweating of the armpits and hands.
Thoracoscopy
This is a minimally invasive video-assisted technique to examine the lungs and inside the chest. Some procedures including pleurodesis, lung biopsy and lung resection may be performed using this technique.
Thoracotomy
This is the name of a type of surgical procedure accessed through your ribs, usually to perform a lung resection to treat a lung cancer. For a short time you will require a chest drain after this procedure to remove air and fluid after the surgery.
Thymectomy
Is an operation to remove the thymus grand.

There are a number of reasons why the thymus gland may enlarge requiring it to be surgically removed. Occasionally, it is as a result of remission of the neuromuscular condition known as myasthenia gravis or to remove a benign tumour such as a thymoma. The thymus gland is located in the upper part of your chest behind the breastbone (sternum). Your surgeon will discuss the best surgical approach to remove the thymus gland if surgical removal is required.

VATS

A minimally invasive surgical technique, VATS uses small incisions, resulting in no large scars or spreading of the ribs. During the surgery, a one-inch incision allows the surgeon to insert a miniature camera into the chest cavity. The VATS approach has significantly less pain than a traditional thoracotomy and results in a reduced length of stay in hospital.

Make an appointment with Dr Meredith today.

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