What Causes Lung Diseases?
As we breathe, we take in the oxygen that is necessary for our respiratory system to function. With this process, the lungs are exposed to viruses, bacteria and allergenic substances that can be dangerous to them with each breath.
Breathing in chemicals that can harm the lungs due to occupational or living conditions is a serious health problem. Smoking and exposure to smoke from smokers is the biggest cause of lung cancer. Genetic causes play an active role in many lung diseases.
What are the symptoms of surgical lung diseases?
Shortness of breath
– Persistent coughs that last longer than a normal cold
– Blood in the cough or sputum
– Insidious pain in the chest
– Side pains that develop suddenly and may cause shortness of breath
– Weight loss Fever of unknown cause
– Hoarseness
Decision Making Stages for Surgery in Lung Diseases
Lung surgeries differ from other surgeries. This is because the lungs must continue to breathe during surgery. This necessity necessitates technological requirements in terms of anesthesia and surgery. The fact that modern lung surgeries have only been performed since the 1950s, and the presence of the heart and main vascular systems in the area being worked on, technically makes these surgeries more privileged.
At the moment when you have reached the surgery stage, the decision for surgery has been made by a joint council decision of the physicians in the relevant departments.
How Are Lung Surgeries Performed?
Lung surgeries start by entering through the chest wall to reach the lungs or the desired area. Endoscopic (Closed) surgeries are VATS (video-assisted lung surgery), mediastinotomy and mediastinoscopy. These surgeries are closed surgeries performed by placing a camera and special instruments inside the chest with the help of small holes opened without making large incisions. Thoracotomy is an open technique that requires a larger incision in the chest. This opening allows the surgeon to see the lungs directly. Your surgeon decides which method is most suitable for your disease.
Recommendations for Those Who Will Have Surgery
• If you are going to have lung surgery and you smoke, definitely quit smoking. The smoking period should be at least 4 weeks. Remember that smokers will have problems after the surgery. Let this period help you not to smoke again. Remember that smokers are at a disadvantage in wound healing and expectoration.
• Continue your daily routine until the surgery, especially if you are doing sports, do not stop.
• Pre-operative medication use is important. If you are using drugs such as steroids, aspirin, coumadin, you should share them with your doctor and have them stopped or use them with a dose adjustment. These drugs may cause your surgery to be postponed because they increase bleeding. Continue to use other heart, blood pressure, and chronic lung medications and definitely share them with your doctor.
• Another problem of patients who will have surgery is body cleanliness. Especially for male patients, we recommend that they take a bath with liquid soap on the morning of the surgery and then apply hair removal cream to clean the hair in the chest area. Infection of the scratches and wounds that will occur may cause problems after the surgery.
• Depending on the condition after the surgery, the patient may be taken to the intensive care unit or directly to the ward.
• After the surgery, the patient has a urinary catheter, a drain or drains placed in the chest cavity. Fluid and air that should not accumulate inside are collected from these drains. There is a catheter in the patient’s neck through which serum (fluid) and medication are administered. These can be removed within one or a few days after the surgery.
• The patient is checked after the surgery with daily lung graphs.
• The patient’s stitches can be removed when he/she comes to the outpatient clinic for a check-up after discharge.
• The anesthetic drugs used on the patient may affect bowel movements, and the necessary medications for similar problems are administered to the patient. It is necessary to move and walk as early as possible to defecate early.
• Mild and intermittent pain, numbness, burning and itching in the surgery area can continue for up to 1 year. We apply the most modern methods to cope with the pain, so patients feel very little pain. It should be kept in mind that the feeling of pain varies from person to person.
• If the patient is discharged from the hospital after the operation, they are called for a check-up at the polyclinic on the 11th day and then at certain intervals, and are evaluated with a physical examination and chest X-ray.
• In cancer patients, a lung tomography is requested for control purposes at the 6th month.
• Depending on the course of the disease, check-ups are continued with lung tomography at 3-month, 6-month or 1-year intervals.
• Further examinations of the patient who has completed his 5th year without any problems are decided according to his symptoms.
Postoperative Period
Postoperative Period
- Breathing Exercises
- Movement Exercises
- Controlling Pain
- Post Discharge
- Healing at Home
- Caring for the Wound
- Starting Activity
In order to clear your lungs, strengthen your respiratory muscles and prevent complications immediately after the surgery, a nurse or physiotherapist will teach you some exercises before the surgery. You will work with the exercise equipment you will use to try to inflate your lungs more and to remove phlegm. After you are taught these exercises, you will need to do them regularly on your own.
Situations When I Need to See My Doctor
Let your doctor know if any of the following occur after your surgery:
• Shortness of breath
• Redness and discharge at the stitched area of your skin
• Sudden and sharp chest pain
• Fever above 37.5ºC
• Coughing up bright red blood
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Sudden onset of palpitations
Movement Exercises
- While you’re in the hospital, your nurse or physical therapist will recommend range of motion exercises, especially walking. You may also be asked to do these exercises at home during your recovery.
- As soon as possible, you will begin moving around to increase your muscle strength and blood flow. Your nurse or physical therapist will help you sit and walk.
- Painkillers will make your activity more comfortable. These medications will be given to you by the nurses.
After Discharge
- Continue to do the breathing exercises taught to you by your physiotherapist and continue to use the breathing exercise device.
- Take walks to get your blood circulating and strengthen your muscles, but avoid toning or weight-bearing exercises for a few weeks.
- Use your prescribed medications as instructed during and after discharge.
- Discuss your recovery and the results of the surgery with your doctor who will be following you.
Home Recovery
- For the first few weeks after surgery, you will gain more energy and strength each day. At first, it may be difficult to breathe and you may be out of breath. Take it easy and rest when you get tired. Your doctor will tell you what you can and cannot do while you recover.
Wound Care
- Your stitches will be removed after your doctor’s check-up at your outpatient clinic visit. You can take a shower two days after the stitches are removed. When you take a shower, gently wash the wound area with warm water and mild soap. Pain, itching, numbness, and bruising and spotting in the wound area and its surroundings are normal for a few weeks after the surgery. However, if there is any discharge, be sure to see your doctor.
Starting the Activity
- Avoid any activities that could disrupt your healing wound, such as heavy lifting, for a few weeks after surgery. Start walking to improve your circulation and increase your lung capacity and strength. As you begin to feel better, you will begin more strenuous activities.
