Health Information

Lung Surgery for Lung Cancer

What To Expect After Surgery

Lung surgery requires you to stay in the hospital after the procedure. How long you stay will depend on:

Your remaining lung function.
Your overall health before surgery.
Which type of surgery was done.

Pain

Pain is a common concern after this surgery. Depending on the type of surgery you have, your chest area may be painful for several weeks to months after surgery. Your doctor will prescribe pain medicines you can use for pain after the surgery. You can also talk to your doctor about Reference things you can do at home to help ease pain.

Chest tubes

One or more chest tubes are used after surgery to drain your chest cavity of fluid and blood, which are present after lung surgery. The chest tubes also help your lungs refill with air. Chest tubes are placed in your chest cavity and extend out through your chest wall and skin through small cuts between your ribs on the same side as the surgery. The tubes are connected to a machine that creates a gentle suction, which helps your chest fluid to drain. The fluid is collected in a container that measures the amount of fluid draining from your chest. The chest tubes will be removed when the drainage from your chest has stopped and no air is leaking from your chest incision, which is usually after a few days.

Respiratory treatments

A respiratory therapist will help you with breathing treatments to improve your lung function after surgery. Treatments usually involve deep breathing and Reference the use of a spirometer Opens New Window. Medicines may also be used to help open your airway and help you breathe more easily.

By:	Reference Healthwise Staff	Last Revised: September 12, 2012
Medical Review:	Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Reference Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology