Thoracic Surgery

Diseases of the lung are common but surgical treatment is required for only a small proportion of patients primarily with lung cancer or lung nodules that cannot be confidently diagnosed with other techniques.

The exact nature of the surgery will depend on the underlying condition and will be discussed by your surgeon in detail prior to your operation. Broadly speaking lung surgery involves removal or a portion of the lung and utilises stapling devices to seal the remaining lung. This can be performed by a keyhole technique where instruments are inserted between the ribs or by open surgery. The amount of lung removed will depend on the underlying condition but can be a small wedge, a larger segment of a lobe, or the entire lobe which can be up to half of one lung.

There is generally plenty of lung reserve so long-term lung function is usually able to compensate for the loss of a portion of lung following surgery.

The Specialist Centre Ballarat provides a comprehensive diagnostic and surgical service for all lung disease including bronchoscopy, surgical biopsies and major lung resections. Much of the surgery is now performed by ‘key hole” or minimally invasive thoracoscopic techniques with reduced patient discomfort and hospital stay, and faster recovery.