Wedge resection surgery is a procedure to remove a triangular-shaped section of your lung.
Your provider may recommend this surgery to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
You may also have a wedge resection as a biopsy to determine if you have lung cancer.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Some people undergo a wedge resection if they can’t tolerate more extensive surgery for lung cancer.
Wedge resections remove less tissue than other lung cancer surgeries.
Recovery takes less time compared to other surgeries.
However, this procedure can only be used for small, early-stage tumors.
Surgery is usually the main treatment for NSCLC (followed by other therapies if needed).
SCLC grows so quickly that it spreads before its diagnosed.
As a result, surgery is rarely the first line of treatment for SCLC.
In these instances, the wedge resection may be performed to remove isolated metastases that spread to the lungs.
It’s usually used if a traditionallung biopsycan’t be done or a biopsy was inconclusive.
The procedure may also be done to evaluate noncancerous lung conditions such astuberculosisor aspergillosis and to removeemphysemablisters.
Benefits
Your cancer specialist might consider other surgeries that remove more of the lung.
Ask your partner, a family member, or friend to go with you to the appointment.
Learning you have cancer is a stressful time, which makes it hard to focus.
They can remember details and ask questions you may not think about.
The medical team will also evaluate you to ensure that you are well enough for surgery.
After that, you’ll be taken into the operating room and prepped.
Thoracotomy
This is traditional open surgery for removing cancerous lung tissue.
The tumor and the surrounding tissue are surgically removed, and the wound is closed using stitches or staples.
An open-chest procedure takes about three to six hours.
Athoracoscope, a small tube with a light and a tiny camera, is inserted into the chest.
The rate of post-operative complications is much lower for VATS compared to thoracotomy.
Internal Radiation Treatment
You may also receive internal radiation treatment (brachytherapy).
The radiation stays in place, eliminating any remaining cancer cells.
That may take about two hours.
Your healthcare provider may also prescribe pulmonary rehabilitation after lung cancer surgery.
After a thoracotomy, youll need to limit your activity for one month.
If you had a VATS, you may be able to return to your usual activities in two weeks.
That means your prognosis is good.
By comparison, the average five-year survival rate for all stages of NSCLC combined is 28%.
Summary
Wedge resection surgery removes a small, triangular-shaped piece of the lung.
You may undergo this procedure for a lung biopsy or to treat early-stage, non-small cell lung cancer.
Your surgeon may remove the cancerous tumor using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or thoracotomy.
A thoracotomy is a traditional open surgery, while VATS is a minimally invasive procedure.
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Cleveland Clinic.Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).
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doi:10.21037%2Fjtd.2019.09.32
American Cancer Society.Lung cancer survival rates.
10(6):1015-21. doi:10.1510/icvts.2010.233189
