A wedge resection is a surgical procedure that is done to remove a wedge-shaped section of lung tissue, usually for treating lung cancer, but sometimes for other indications. A wedge resection is less invasive than some of the other surgical options used to remove lung cancer, and it may be appropriate if your cancer is relatively contained.
What is a a wedge resection?
A wedge resection is a procedure that involves the surgical removal of a small, wedge-shaped piece of lung tissue to remove a small tumor. It is typically performed in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Why would a doctor recommend a segmentectomy or wedge resection?
There are several reasons a doctor might recommend a segmentectomy or wedge resection surgery. For example: Very small tumors, like early stage non small-cell lung cancers, and limited stage small cell lung cancers, can sometimes be treated with segmentectomy and wedge resection surgery.
What is the difference between a lobectomy and a wedge resection?
Wedge resection removes only part of a lobe. For lung cancer, doctors may recommend this surgery if you do not have enough lung function to tolerate removal of the whole lobe. Other names for this procedure include segmentectomy and thoracic wedge. Lobectomy removes an entire lobe.
When is wedge resection used to treat lung cancer?
The procedure is most often recommended if a tumor is less than 4 centimeters (cm) in diameter. Cancer located in the outer parts of the lungs (the periphery) and classified as stage 0 or stage 1 NSCLC can be treated with wedge resection.
What is wedge resection in medical terms?
Listen to pronunciation. (wej ree-SEK-shun) Surgery to remove a triangle-shaped slice of tissue. It may be used to remove a tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it.
What is wedge resection of the lung cancer?
A pulmonary wedge resection, or a segmentectomy, is a surgical procedure to take out a tumor in the lung and some of the surrounding tissue. A small, triangle-shaped slice of the lung is removed.
How is a wedge resection done?
A pulmonary wedge resection can be done in two ways: Thoracotomy – open-chest surgery, where a 15-20cm cut between your ribs to operate and remove the lung tissue. Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) – minimally invasive surgery performed through tiny cuts of 3-4cm.
What is a wedge resection of liver?
Non-anatomic resection, also called a wedge resection, means removal of the tumor and a surrounding margin of tissue. It may spare more of the working or functional liver tissue, called the parenchyma.
What is a thoracotomy with wedge resection?
An open wedge resection is performed through a thoracotomy, which is a large incision in the chest. During this type of surgery, the chest is opened. Although minimally invasive approaches are considered for every patient, some patients may not be candidates for a robotic or VATS wedge resection.
What is a thoracoscopic wedge resection?
Thoracoscopic wedge resection (TWR) is a minimally invasive (non–rib spreading), nonanatomic limited resection of a lung portion. The technique involves a video thoracoscope for access. The only difference between TWR and open resection in terms of technique is that the former involves minimal invasiveness.
How is a lung resection performed?
Today, most lung resections are performed by minimally invasive techniques that use one to four 1-inch incisions on the side of your body, a video camera and specialized instruments — including a surgical robot to remove portions of your lung.
What is a wedge biopsy?
Surgical pathology An excisional biopsy in which a lesion identified at the time of a surgical procedure is removed, with a wedge of normal surrounding tissue.
Is lung wedge resection major surgery?
A wedge resection, though less extensive than a lobectomy, segmentectomy, or pneumonectomy, is still major surgery.
What incision is used in liver surgery?
Liver resection to remove tumours or to source grafts from living donors is nowadays performed worldwide. The incisions most commonly used have included a bilateral rooftop incision with or without a vertical extension, a J-shaped incision and a reverse L-shaped incision with or without a left extension.
What happens after a liver resection?
After a liver resection, you will usually be in intensive care or a high-dependency unit for about 24 hours. This is routine after major operations. There is a risk that the liver may bleed after surgery. The doctors and nurses will check this by taking your blood pressure regularly.
What is right hepatectomy?
Right hepatectomy is a well-standardized procedure consisting of resection of liver parenchyma on the right side of Cantlie's line in the right side of the MHV (see Fig. 108B. 4). The inclusion of the MHV corresponds to an extended right hepatectomy.
What is wedge resection?
A wedge resection is an ideal procedure for patients with certain types of lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in which removal of small lesions of cancer cells is necessary. It may be performed as an alternative to a lobectomy—a procedure in which a large piece (lobe) is removed from the lung—as long as ...
Why is it so hard to recover from wedge surgery?
Because small incisions are made in minimally invasive wedge resection procedures, like robotic surgery and VATS, there is usually less pain after surgery, shorter hospital stay and quicker return to normal activities. How quickly you recover may depend on certain factors, such as your age and current medical conditions.
How does a robotic lobectomy work?
A robotic lobectomy is a procedure in which the surgeon makes several tiny incisions through the chest, then inserts small robotic arms and a small camera through the incisions. During the procedure, the surgeon sits at a computer console while the camera provides a 3D view of the lungs, which is magnified 10 times greater than a person's normal vision. The surgeon's hands control the robotic arms from the console, translating his or her larger hand movements into smaller, more precise movements. In addition, special tools attached to the robotic arms allow the surgeon to cut, grasp and stitch, which improves accuracy and precision.
How does a surgeon's hand work?
The surgeon's hands control the robotic arms from the console, translating his or her larger hand movements into smaller, more precise movements. In addition, special tools attached to the robotic arms allow the surgeon to cut, grasp and stitch, which improves accuracy and precision.
What is minimally invasive surgery?
These procedures can help reduce pain and scarring, shorten recovery time, decrease injury to healthy tissue, and offer more precise visualization of the lungs and chest.
Does Northwell perform thoracic surgery?
At Northwell, we perform more thoracic surgeries than any other health system in the region . Our thoracic services have been consistently recognized by the New York State Department of Health and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for excellent patient care and outcomes, which means you can rest assured that you are in good hands.
Is wedge resection surgery dangerous?
As with any surgery or procedure, possible risks are involved in wedge resection surgery. These risks may be related to certain factors such as your age and current medical conditions. Speak with your doctor to discuss any possible risks and/or complications.
Why do you need a lung resection?
Lung cancer is the most common reason to need a lung resection. Because lung cancer is very hard to treat, doctors often opt for the most extensive surgery you can tolerate. This offers the best chance of removing all the cancer. Sometimes, they can accomplish this with a wedge resection of the lung.
What are the conditions that require a lung resection?
This includes: Extreme trauma to the lung. Severe, chronic lung infection, such as fungal infections, multiple lung abscesses, or tuberculosis. Severe, congenital lung disease, which is a birth defect.
What is the procedure to remove lung cancer?
Lobectomy removes an entire lobe. If lung cancer remains contained in one lobe, this is the procedure doctors often prefer to use. Sleeve resection removes a tumor in one of the large or main airways. It involves cutting out a section of the airway and joining the two ends.
What is the procedure called when you have a lung lobe removed?
Other names for this procedure include segmentectomy and thoracic wedge.
What type of surgeon performs lung resection?
A thoracic surgeon performs lung resection. This doctor specializes in surgery of the chest, including the lungs, esophagus, heart, and major blood vessels. Cardiothoracic surgeon is another name for this type of surgeon. A surgical oncologist may also perform lung resection in some cases.
What to expect the day of lung resection?
In general, this is what happens the day of your surgery: You will talk with a preoperative nurse who may perform an exam. The nurse can also answer questions and will make sure you understand and sign the surgical consent form. You will change into a hospital gown.
How long do you stay in the hospital after a lung resection?
It’s common to stay in the hospital for about a week after lung resection. The length of your stay may vary depending on your age and overall health. Rehabilitation—or rehab—will help you recover and learn how to compensate for the loss of lung tissue.
What is wedge resection?
A wedge resection is a procedure that involves the surgical removal of a small, wedge-shaped piece of lung tissue to remove a small tumor or to diagnose lung cancer. It is an ideal procedure for the treatment of certain types of lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) requiring the removal of small lesions of cancer cells, ...
How long does it take to recover from a wedge resection?
The chest tube is removed once the lung tissue has healed and stops leaking air, which usually happens within 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Recovery typically takes a week.
How long before wedge resection can you smoke?
The patient is advised to quit smoking before surgery if the surgery is more than two weeks away.
Can a wedge resection be done with lobectomy?
Therefore, wedge resection may be performed as an alternative to lobectomy, a procedure in which an entire lobe is removed from the lung. This surgery is performed if the cancer is contained within a small area. A wedge resection is often done in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
What is wedge resection?
What are segmental and wedge resection surgeries? Segmentectomy and wedge resection surgery are treatments to remove cancer from the lung. These types of surgeries remove only the lung mass and a small portion of the lung along with it, whereas other surgeries, like a lobectomy, remove one or more lobes of the lung.
What is the difference between a wedge resection and a segmental resection?
Segmentectomy, also known as segmental resection surgery, removes a part of the lung larger than a wedge section, but smaller than a complete lobe. Both surgeries may also be referred to as a sub-lobar resection.
What to avoid during wedge resection?
Things to avoid during recovery for wedge resection surgery and segmentectomy. While you’re recovering, you should take steps to avoid illness. Stay away from people who have respiratory infections, such as colds or influenza. While you’re recovering, you should also avoid certain things, including:
What is the procedure called when a doctor removes a tumor?
There are two ways your doctor could perform a segmentectomy or wedge resection surgery: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (a less invasive surgery using a tiny video camera), also called VAT surgery. After your doctor locates the tumor, he or she will remove it along with a small section of the lung around it.
What tests are used to determine the size of a tumor?
These tests may include: Imaging tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, to find out the location and size of the tumor or if it has spread. There are two ways your doctor could perform a segmentectomy or wedge resection surgery:
How long does it take to recover from a wedge resection?
It may take weeks or even months before you’re feeling like you’re at 100 percent.
Can you have a segmentectomie if you have a tumor?
Doctors generally do not recommend these surgeries if the tumor is more than two inches or is in a location that makes it difficult to perform the surgery. Doctors usually don’t recommend segmentectomies and wedge resection surgeries for young and otherwise healthy people.
Purpose of A Wedge Resection
Risks and Contraindications
- Wedge resection can be very effective for early-stage lung cancer, but once tumors exceed 4 cm or if they are located in a section of the lung that cannot easily be removed, this type of surgery is not considered the best option. In this case, your healthcare provider may recommend another type of lung surgery or non-surgical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. Serious complications are fairly uncommon after wedge resectio…
What to Expect
- To ensure you're ready to handle surgery and the effort it will take to fully recover from the procedure, review the details of what happens before, during, and after a wedge resection. Discuss with your surgeon why a wedge resection is being recommended and how possible outcomes compare to the other treatment options. As your healthcare provider reviews with you the details of how your wedge resection is performed, ask any questions yo…
A Word from Verywell
- A wedge resection, though less extensive than a lobectomy, segmentectomy, or pneumonectomy, is still major surgery. You need to give yourself time to recover after surgery, but make sure to stay active and follow the instructions of your surgeon, oncologist, and respiratory therapist so you can optimize your lung function as you recover.