Etymed
pneumonectomy
Definition
surgical removal of a lung
Clinical context
A 65-year-old smoker presents with a large cavitary lesion in the right upper lobe consistent with squamous cell carcinoma. Despite optimal medical therapy, the patient continues to experience hemoptysis and recurrent pneumonia. A thoracotomy reveals an inoperable mass, and the decision is made to perform a pneumonectomy to achieve complete tumor resection. Postoperatively, the patient requires mechanical ventilation and shows signs of respiratory distress due to the significant reduction in pulmonary capacity.
Mnemonic
Pneumonectomy = Pneumonia, Pulmonary, and Pneumothorax - all complications of lung removal surgery