Pleurectomy

Pleurectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of part of the pleura, the membranes lining the thoracic cavity and surrounding the lungs. This procedure is typically performed to treat conditions such as pleural mesothelioma and pneumothorax.

Indications

Pleurectomy is often indicated for patients with malignant pleural diseases such as pleural mesothelioma. It may also be performed to manage recurrent pneumothorax, a condition characterized by the presence of air in the pleural space causing lung collapse.

Procedure

During a pleurectomy, the surgeon makes an incision in the chest wall and removes the diseased portion of the pleura. The remaining healthy pleura is then reattached. The procedure may be performed using either open surgery or minimally invasive techniques such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, pleurectomy carries potential risks and complications. These may include infection, bleeding, and damage to surrounding structures. Patients may also experience postoperative pain and may require a prolonged period of recovery.

See Also

• Thoracic surgery
• Pleural disease
• Mesothelioma
• Pneumothorax

Pleurectomy Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.