The most important information about thoracic surgical interventions are listed, with special focus on lung cancer therapies. Common symptoms of lung cancer, importance of its diagnosis and surgeries performed at our clinic, as well as steps of a general aftercare are described here.
Respiratory surgeries
Parts of the respiratory system
The respiratory system provides oxygen to the body, which is essential for cell function and energy production. Air enters the lungs through the nose or mouth, then travels along the trachea into the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the blood. Blood transports oxygen to all other parts of the body, while carbon dioxide is removed from the body with exhalation.
What might be the symptoms of respiratory problems?
Symptoms of respiratory complaints may include difficulty in breathing, dry or wet cough which may develop to coughing up blood in severe cases. There may be symptoms suggesting narrowing of the airways, such as wheezing or stridor breathing sounds. Other complaints may include chest pain, shortness of breath, frequent respiratory infections, fever, tiredness or malaise.
Answers from the doctor – What do respiratory surgeries look like?
What types of surgeries do we perform?
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries of the respiratory system
Following assessment by a specialist, the operation will be performed. In case of video-assisted thoracoscopy, our specialists access the respiratory system using optical instruments inserted through small incisions. In case you have video-assisted thoracoscopy, you may leave the clinic after 3 to 6 days of hospitalisation.
Open surgeries of the respiratory system
Following assessment by a specialist, the necessary intervention will be performed. In case of an open surgery, the intervention is performed with cutting the chest open. Depending on the extent of the procedure, you may leave the clinic after 3 to 8 days of hospitalisation.
Mediastinoscopy
This involves the examination or biopsy of the mediastinum, the central part of the thoracic cavity. During mediastinoscopy, a special instrument (mediastinoscope) is inserted into the mediastinum through a small incision on the neck to perform the examination. You may leave the clinic on the day after the intervention.
Process of the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
Before surgery
This surgical intervention is always performed under general anaesthesia – this will be explained to you by your anesthesiologist before the operation.
01
Intervention
In a minimally invasive, video-assisted thoracic surgery, only one three- or four-centimetre incision is made to insert the camera and the necessary endoscopy instruments into the chest cavity (previously two or three incisions were made). The incision is made in a relatively hidden area, in the armpit or under the breast, in the inframammary fold.
02
Wound closure
A video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery takes approximately 1 or 2 hours.
03
After surgery
A VATS surgery requires a few days’ postoperative drainage via 1 or 2 chest tube(s) inserted during the intervention.
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Process of the open chest surgery
In case of certain tumours, only open surgeries can be performed either due to a difficult access or because too large areas have to be removed, which would not fit through small incisions. In other cases it is vital that the surgeon examines and palpates the whole lung, which would be impossible through visualisation in a monitor.
Before surgery – anaesthesia
This surgical intervention is always performed under general anaesthesia – this will be explained to you by your anesthesiologist before the operation.
01
Intervention
The chest is opened under the shoulder blade or in the line of the armpit, using an approximately 10 cm incision. After that, the ribs are separated to the necessary extent, and resection of the lung (the affected areas) is performed. A chest drain tube is left in the chest postoperatively.
02
Partial or full cutting of the muscles and separation of the ribs
Based on the condition found, the rupture on the lung is sutured, and the tumorous lung section (anatomical unit) and the regional lymph nodes are removed. It is followed by wound closure.
03
After surgery
An open chest surgery takes approximately 1 or 2 hours. Postoperatively, multiple blood samples and chest X-ray examinations may be necessary. In an ideal case, hospitalisation lasts for approximately 5 to 7 days postoperatively, and another 6 to 8 weeks of recovery can be expected. The stitches are removed 7 or 10 days after the surgery.
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More information
What are the most common causes of respiratory complaints?
Several external factors may cause respiratory complaints:
- Upper respiratory infections
- Allergic reactions, agents that irritate the respiratory system
- Smoking
- Other respiratory diseases and chronic conditions (such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, cancerous diseases)
Smoking plays an especially important role in development of lung cancer, and early diagnosis after development of symptoms is key in successful treatment.
How can problems be diagnosed?
Respiratory diseases might be diagnosed through several examination methods. Following the assessment of your past medical history, our specialist performs respiratory function tests, as well as imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI), laboratory tests, and histology tests, as required. These examinations aid in proper diagnosis and treatment plan, so that our patients can get the best possible options for their needs.
Early diagnosis is especially important in respiratory diseases, such as in lung cancer. Detection in asymptomatic state is possible with screening, which can improve treatment results and patient survival significantly. The earlier the diagnosis, the lower the risk of complications and the shorter the recovery time.
How to prepare for surgery?
Before a respiratory surgery, our specialists will provide detailed information how you should prepare for the intervention. It may include restrictions in diet, modification in medicines, prohibition of smoking and alcohol consumption and arrival on a fasted state on the day of the operation. It is important to follow the doctors’ instructions to contribute to the success of the intervention and your quicker recovery.
What are the risks of this surgery?
Respiratory surgeries may involve the following general risks:
- pneumonia, narrowed airways
- alveolar or bronchial leakage
- bronchial injury
- airway difficulties
- scarring or obstruction in the operated area
- infection of the operated area (with 1% frequency)
In case any complications develop during/after the surgery, and it is necessary, care will be provided at Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical Center – Emergency Care Unit, for a fee.
What happens after the surgery?
After the surgery, we will provide you proper postoperative care for your recovery. It is important to follow the instructions of our specialists regarding wound treatment, medicines, recovery breathing exercises and mobilisation, so the operated area can recover and heal faster.
You will need a few days’ postoperative drainage via 1 or 2 chest tube(s) inserted during the operation.
Premium environment – Introducing our Clinic and wards
Have a look at our photo gallery, where you can get an insight into the modern wards at our Clinic and the comfortable environment we offer our patients. These photos show our state-of-the-art equipment, which facilitates faster recovery and more efficient rehabilitation. Take a virtual tour of our wards and become acquainted with the conditions that contribute to the high-level care and recovery of our patients.
Our doctors performing these surgeries:
Expertise
- Thoracic surgical procedures
- Lung diseases
- Specialist consultations
- Acute and elective surgical procedures
- Consultations on minimally invasive and open surgical techniques
- Consultations on surgical treatment of thyroid diseases
Language skills
- English
Expertise
- Proctology diagnostics and interventions (haemorrhoids, rectal rupture, rectal fistula and abscess, rectal growths - rectal polyp, condyloma)
- Surgeries for thyroid and parathyroid diseases
- Minimally invasive laser haemorrhoid surgery (DG-HAL-RAR surgery)
- Haemorrhoids node resection
- Lipoma (fat tumour) removal
- Removal of atheroma (plaque)
- Thoracic surgical procedures (thoracotomy and VATS technique)
Language skills
- English
- German
About our clinic
Mediversal Egészségügyi Szolgáltató Kft. is a private healthcare facility owned entirely by the University of Szeged. Thanks to our unique clinical background, the outpatient and inpatient care we provide and the laboratory and imaging diagnostics we offer are performed by internationally renowned specialists in their fields who are at the forefront of research and innovation, supported by highly experienced staff. In addition to the excellent professional staff, our well-equipped facilities, quality hotel services, and, first and foremost, the customer-centric, personalised care we provide guarantee a complete healing experience.
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