Lung Surgery

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Picture of three types of lung surgery

Three types of lung surgery differ by how much lung tissue is removed.

  • Wedge resection (also called a segmentectomy): A wedge-shaped section of the affected lung is removed.
  • Lobectomy: The affected lobe of the lung is removed.
  • Pneumonectomy: The entire affected lung is removed.

Sometimes cancer grows in the bronchus, which is the part of the trachea (windpipe) that branches off into each lung. Surgery to remove part of the bronchus is called a sleeve resection.

Current as of: October 25, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
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La Enciclopedia de salud contiene información general de salud. No todos los tratamientos o servicios descritos son beneficios cubiertos para los miembros de Kaiser Permanente ni se ofrecen como servicios de Kaiser Permanente. Para obtener una lista de beneficios cubiertos, consulte su Evidencia de cobertura o Descripción resumida del plan. Para los tratamientos recomendados, consulte con su proveedor de atención médica.