Thoracotomy (definition of)

During a thoracotomy, an incision is made in the chest wall in order to gain access to the chest organs (lungs, heart, aorta, trachea, and diaphragm). The incision may be performed on either side of the chest, depending on type or purpose of the surgery.

Mesothelioma patients undergo one of three types of lung surgery during a thoracotomy. If the cancer has not spread, the surgeons will perform a segementectomy, or "wedge resection," which leaves most of the lung itself intact. This consists of removing a small, wedge-shaped section of the affected lung where the cancer is localized.

The second type of lung surgery is known as a lobectomy. The lungs consist of five lobes, three on the right and two on the left. During a lobectomy, an entire lobe is This technique is riskier than a wedge resection, but is more likely to result the entire tumor being removed.

The pneumonectomy is the most invasive and serious of the three surgery types, as this involves the removal of an entire lung. It is only performed for cases in which the mesothelioma has spread. An incision is made along the side of the patient's body from collarbone to the bottom of the rib cage. The diseased lung is collapsed and tied off, along with all connected blood vessels. Because mesothelioma affected the pleural lining, this is removed as well.

Regardless of the type of surgery, it is necessary to leave a catheter in the chest in order to drain fluids and blood for a few days. Except in the U.S., where hospital stays are minimized in order to save private insurers from undue expense and maximize shareholder ROI, patients usually require two weeks or more recovery time in the hospital under a physician's care and observation.