lobectomy

The medical team places the infant on his side with the lesion area facing upward. The surgeon makes 3 small incisions in order to create ports for a tiny camera and instruments. Once the camera is inserted through the ports, the surgeon has a magnified view of the abnormal lung. If an abnormal vessel exists inside the lobe of the lung, the surgeon can seal it before proceeding. If large cysts are present, the surgeon can compress them using a special instrument. This creates space to perform the lobectomy procedure. Next, the surgeon identifies normal blood vessels within the deceased lobe and seals them off. The airway to the lobe is identified, closed with metal clips, and cut. The surgeon removes the freed lobe through the small existing port incision and if necessary uses a chest drain to remove any leaking fluids. The doctor closes the three small incisions.