Lobectomy: Lung Surgery, Recovery, Risks and Outlook
Updated: 3 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer: What is a lobectomy?
A lobectomy is an operation to remove one lobe of a lung, most often to treat lung cancer, especially early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. It may be done with minimally invasive or open surgery. It is major surgery: recovery takes at least a month, and possible complications include irregular heart rhythm, bleeding, air leaks, blood clots and infection. [6]
What the research says
Keyhole (VATS) lobectomy did not compromise cancer outcomes compared with open surgery. In an individual patient data meta-analysis of three randomized trials (1,185 patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer), overall survival favored VATS (pooled hazard ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.65–0.96) and disease-free survival was similar (hazard ratio 0.91, 95% CI 0.75–1.12) (Harris et al., Lancet, 2026). [3]
For small, peripheral stage IA tumors, removing part of a lobe can be as effective as removing the whole lobe. In a randomized trial of 1,106 patients (tumors 2 cm or smaller), 5-year overall survival was 94.3% after segmentectomy and 91.1% after lobectomy, relapse-free survival was nearly identical (88.0% vs 87.9%), and local relapse was higher after segmentectomy (10.5% vs 5.4%) (Saji et al., Lancet, 2022). [4]
The surgical approach may affect the risk of irregular heart rhythm. In a meta-analysis of 21 studies (59,101 patients), VATS was linked to lower odds of postoperative atrial fibrillation than open thoracotomy (odds ratio 0.73, 95% CI 0.58–0.91), although the authors called for larger randomized trials (Brascia et al., Updates Surg, 2025). [5]
What is a lobectomy?
A lobectomy, also called a pulmonary lobectomy, is surgery to remove one lobe or section of a lung. It is a major operation that requires general anesthesia and a monitored hospital recovery. [6]
The right lung has three lobes and the left lung has two. Removing one lobe is different from removing an entire lung. A segmentectomy removes only part of a lobe and may be called a partial lobectomy.
A lobectomy can be an important treatment for selected lung cancers. It may also be used for other conditions affecting a specific lung area. The reason for surgery and the amount of lung removed depend on the diagnosis and the person’s overall health.
Why might someone need a lobectomy?
Lobectomy is commonly used for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. It can also treat some lung carcinoid tumors and small cell lung cancers. [6]
Other possible reasons include a problem with how the lung formed before birth, lung damage caused by infection or radiation, a tumor that spread to the lung from another part of the body, or bleeding caused by lung damage.
The indication matters because the goals, additional treatments and follow-up can differ. Ask the treating team what the operation is intended to accomplish in the specific case.
How are the lungs and lobes involved?
Each lung is divided into lobes. The surgeon removes the lobe or segment containing the condition while preserving the blood vessels and airway serving the remaining lung.
Nearby lymph nodes may be sampled or removed to check for possible spread of disease or cancer. The tissue and lymph-node findings help the team understand the diagnosis and plan further care. [6]
What are the main types of lobectomy approach?
Many lung resections use a minimally invasive approach. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, or VATS, uses a camera and instruments through several small cuts between the ribs. Robot-assisted thoracic surgery, or RATS, also uses small incisions and robotic instruments controlled by the surgeon. [6]
These approaches generally avoid breaking or spreading the ribs. A thoracotomy uses a larger cut on the side of the chest and spreads the ribs. It may be chosen for more complex lung surgery. [6]
Approach | How access is obtained | General recovery pattern |
VATS | Camera and instruments pass through several small chest incisions. | Often less pain and bleeding than open surgery, with a faster recovery. |
Robot-assisted thoracic surgery | Robotic instruments and a camera pass through small chest incisions. | Often less pain and bleeding than open surgery, with a faster recovery. |
Thoracotomy | A larger chest incision is made and the ribs are spread. | Usually a longer recovery and hospital stay than minimally invasive surgery. |
The least invasive approach is not automatically the right approach for every person. Diagnosis, tumor location, complexity, prior surgery, lung function and the surgeon’s judgment all matter.
What tests are done before a lobectomy?
Preoperative testing helps the team understand the diagnosis, lung function, heart health and surgical risk. Tests may include a physical exam, chest X-ray, CT scan or PET scan, breathing tests, six-minute walk tests, a perfusion scan and biopsy of lung tissue or lymph nodes. [6]
A biopsy may use a needle or bronchoscopy. Blood tests and heart tests such as an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram or exercise stress test may also be part of the evaluation. [6]
For lung cancer, staging checks whether cancer cells have spread elsewhere. A CT scan or MRI of the head may be used in some cases to look for spread to the brain. These evaluations help the team plan treatment; they do not provide an online basis for predicting an individual outcome. [6]
Evaluation area | Examples of what may be assessed |
Diagnosis | Biopsy of lung tissue or lymph nodes, sometimes using bronchoscopy. |
Imaging | Chest X-ray, CT, PET scan and, in some cases, head CT or MRI. |
Breathing capacity | Pulmonary function tests, six-minute walk test and perfusion scan. |
General health | Physical exam and blood tests. |
Heart risk | ECG, echocardiogram or exercise stress test when appropriate. |
Cancer extent | Staging to assess whether disease has spread and guide treatment planning. |
A cardiologist may become involved when there is a history of heart problems. An anesthesiologist discusses anesthesia and pain control during and after the operation.
How should someone prepare for a lobectomy?
The surgical team provides preparation instructions, including when to stop eating and drinking before surgery. Avoiding tobacco products before surgery can lower the risk of complications.
Tell the team about all medicines, supplements, allergies, smoking or tobacco use, prior surgeries, heart conditions, lung conditions and any recent infection. Never change a prescribed medicine or treatment on your own; ask the treating team what applies to the planned operation.
Before surgery, ask which approach is planned, what the operation is intended to treat, how long hospitalization may last, how pain will be managed, what drains or oxygen may be used and who will provide follow-up.
What happens during a lobectomy?
During surgery, the person is asleep under general anesthesia and does not feel the operation. A ventilator manages breathing through a tube in the throat, and an IV provides medicines. [6]
The surgeon accesses the chest through either several small incisions for VATS or robotic surgery or a larger incision for thoracotomy. A camera and instruments help the team see and remove the affected lobe. A biopsy may be performed if a diagnosis is not already available. [6]
The surgeon divides the branches of the blood vessels and airway serving the lobe while preserving the structures serving the remaining lung. The specimen is removed, often in a special bag for a minimally invasive operation. The team checks the tissue around a tumor, samples nearby lymph nodes, checks for bleeding, rinses the chest cavity, may inject the chest wall for pain control and closes the incisions with staples or sutures. [6]
This is an educational overview, not a procedural guide. The exact operation varies by diagnosis, anatomy, surgical approach and findings during surgery.
How long does lobectomy surgery take?
The median procedure time for a pulmonary lobectomy is about two hours. Median means that half of procedures take less time and half take longer. An individual operation may take longer or shorter depending on complexity and the approach used. [6]
Time in the operating room is not the same as the total time spent at the hospital. Preparation, anesthesia, recovery, chest-drain management and observation add to the overall process.
What are the potential benefits?
For selected people with early-stage lung cancer, lung surgery may offer the best chance of cure. A segmentectomy or lobectomy can cure some people with stage I to III non-small cell lung cancer. Less invasive lobectomy can have results as good as or better than an open procedure in appropriate cases. [6]
These statements describe possible treatment outcomes, not a personal promise. Tumor type, stage, pathology, lymph-node findings, overall health, lung function and additional treatment all influence the outlook.
What are the risks and complications?
A lobectomy is major surgery, and complications can be serious. The most common complication described is atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm. [6]
Other possible complications include bleeding that requires opening the chest or giving blood, an air leak that lasts longer than five days, blood clots in the legs, nerve injury affecting the diaphragm or voice function, air or gas under the skin, infection and shortness of breath with exertion in someone who also has bronchitis or emphysema.
Possible complication | What it can involve |
Atrial fibrillation | An irregular heart rhythm that the team monitors and manages. |
Bleeding | May require additional treatment, opening the chest or a transfusion. |
Prolonged air leak | Air leakage from the lung lasting longer than five days. |
Blood clots | Clots can form in the legs after major surgery. |
Nerve injury | May affect the diaphragm or voice function. |
Air under the skin | Air or gas can collect in tissues beneath the skin. |
Infection | Can affect the wound or respiratory system and requires evaluation. |
Exertional shortness of breath | May be more likely when bronchitis or emphysema is also present. |
A surgeon should explain the risks most relevant to the person’s health and proposed approach. A high-volume facility may have more experience with lobectomy, but experience does not eliminate risk.
What happens in the hospital after surgery?
After the sleep medicine is stopped, the person goes to a recovery unit and receives pain medicine. When awake enough, the breathing tube is removed. Most people do not remember this step. [6]
A person may recover in a recovery room or ICU before moving to a regular room. One or two chest drains may remove extra air and fluid around the lung. The team removes them when there is not much coming out. [6]
The care team encourages coughing and breathing exercises with good pain management. Staff monitor for irregular heartbeats, use blood thinners and sometimes compression devices to reduce clot risk while the person is in bed, and help the person walk the day after surgery.
Oxygen therapy may be needed for a brief time after leaving the hospital. The care team should explain which equipment, medicines and exercises apply to the individual recovery. [6]
How long does lobectomy recovery take?
Recovery takes at least a month, although the timeline varies. With VATS or robotic surgery, the hospital stay is typically two to three days. Recovery is often faster because these approaches may involve less pain and bleeding than open-chest surgery.
An open-chest lobectomy typically requires three to four days in the hospital. After VATS or robotic surgery, some people may return to desk work around two weeks after going home. A job that requires lifting may require about four weeks of recovery.
These are general descriptions, not clearance for work, driving, exercise or lifting. The surgeon and care team should give the individual timeline.
Recovery milestone | General information |
Hospital stay after VATS or robotic surgery | Typically two to three days. |
Hospital stay after open-chest surgery | Typically three to four days. |
Overall recovery | At least one month. |
Desk work after minimally invasive surgery | Some people may return around two weeks after going home. |
Lifting work | May require about four weeks of recovery. |
Driving | After VATS or robotic surgery, may resume once strong pain medicine has stopped, if the care team agrees. |
Having someone nearby after discharge can be helpful, even when the person can care for themselves. The team may provide wound-care, pain-control, oxygen, activity and nutrition instructions.
What follow-up is needed?
A follow-up visit usually occurs seven to 21 days after surgery. The provider may discuss test results, perform a chest X-ray, check wounds and assess recovery. The team may also provide further guidance about activity, returning to work and eating. [6]
Depending on the cancer stage, an oncologist may become part of the care team. CT scans may continue for five years, and some people may have scans every six months after surgery. The exact schedule depends on the diagnosis, pathology and oncology plan. [6]
Long-term survival after a lobectomy for lung cancer depends on the tumor stage and findings in the surgical pathology report. Recurrence is possible and, when it occurs, is often within the first five years. No online article can predict an individual life expectancy or recurrence risk.
When should someone contact the care team?
Contact the care team for possible infection signs such as fever, chills or fatigue. Follow the discharge instructions for wound concerns, breathing changes, pain, drain problems or medicine questions. [6]
Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms should be treated as urgent. Ask before leaving the hospital which symptoms require an office call, an after-hours call or immediate medical attention.
Is a lobectomy major surgery?
Yes. A lobectomy is major surgery, even when it is performed through small incisions. The lungs contain large and fragile blood vessels that can bleed, and the operation affects breathing, pain, mobility and recovery.
A minimally invasive approach may reduce pain, bleeding and recovery time in appropriate cases, but it does not make the operation minor. Ask the surgical team to explain the expected benefits and risks of the selected approach.
Is lobectomy dangerous?
A lobectomy can involve serious risks, although death after lung surgery is quite rare. Problems with the lungs or airways are common causes of serious complications. Risk can vary between people and facilities. [6]
Ask how often the facility performs lobectomies, which complications are most relevant to the planned operation, how pain and breathing will be managed and how emergencies are handled.
How does smoking affect lobectomy planning?
Avoiding tobacco products before surgery can reduce the risk of complications. Smoking may affect lung function, healing and anesthesia planning. [6]
Tell the care team about current or past smoking and ask for support with stopping. Do not interpret this article as a demand to change medicines or treatment without professional guidance.
What questions should someone ask before surgery?
Topic | Questions to discuss |
Purpose | What condition is the lobectomy intended to treat? |
Extent | Which lobe or segment will be removed, and why? |
Approach | Is VATS, robotic surgery or thoracotomy planned? |
Testing | What do the imaging, breathing tests, biopsy and staging show? |
Anesthesia | How will breathing and pain be managed during and after surgery? |
Lymph nodes | Will nearby lymph nodes be sampled or removed? |
Risks | Which complications are most relevant to this person? |
Hospital stay | How long might hospitalization last with this approach? |
Drains | Will chest drains or oxygen be needed, and who manages them? |
Activity | When can walking, driving, desk work, lifting and exercise resume? |
Results | When will pathology and other test results be discussed? |
Follow-up | Which appointments and scans are planned, and who should be called after hours? |
Support | What help might be useful at home during the first weeks? |
Conclusion
A lobectomy removes one lobe or section of a lung. It is most often used for selected lung cancers but can also treat other conditions affecting a specific area. VATS and robotic approaches use small incisions, while thoracotomy uses a larger incision for more complex surgery. [6]
The operation is major surgery. Recovery takes at least a month and may involve chest drains, pain control, breathing exercises, clot prevention, early walking and temporary oxygen. Possible complications include atrial fibrillation, bleeding, prolonged air leak, blood clots, infection, nerve injury, air under the skin and exertional shortness of breath. [6]
The most useful next step is a detailed conversation with the thoracic surgeon and care team about the diagnosis, intended benefit, surgical approach, pathology, recovery, warning signs and follow-up schedule. Clear questions can make a major operation feel more understandable without turning general information into personal medical advice. [6]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lobectomy?
A lobectomy is surgery to remove one lobe or section of a lung. It is also called a pulmonary lobectomy.
Why is a lobectomy performed?
It is most often used for lung cancer, especially selected early-stage non-small cell lung cancers. It may also treat some lung carcinoid tumors, small cell lung cancers, congenital lung-development problems, damage from infection or radiation, tumors that spread to the lungs or bleeding from lung damage.
What is a segmentectomy?
A segmentectomy is a partial lobectomy that removes part of a lung lobe rather than the entire lobe.
What is VATS lobectomy?
VATS, or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, uses a camera and instruments passed through several small chest incisions. The approach usually avoids spreading the ribs.
What is robotic lobectomy?
Robot-assisted thoracic surgery uses a camera and robotic instruments through small chest incisions. The surgeon controls the instruments. It is one minimally invasive approach.
What is a thoracotomy?
A thoracotomy uses a larger incision on the side of the chest and spreads the ribs to reach the lung. It may be used for more complex lung surgery.
How long does a lobectomy take?
The median time for a pulmonary lobectomy is about two hours, meaning half take less time and half take longer. The individual duration depends on the diagnosis, approach and complexity.
Is a lobectomy performed under general anesthesia?
Yes. During the operation, the person is asleep under general anesthesia. A ventilator manages breathing through a tube in the throat, and an IV provides medicines.
How long is the hospital stay after a lobectomy?
After VATS or robotic surgery, the hospital stay is typically two to three days. After open-chest surgery, it typically takes three to four days. The actual stay depends on recovery and complications.
How long is lobectomy recovery?
Recovery takes at least a month. Some people may return to desk work around two weeks after going home after minimally invasive surgery, while lifting jobs may require about four weeks. The care team must give individual clearance.
When can someone drive after lobectomy?
After VATS or robotic surgery, driving may resume once strong pain medicine has stopped if the care team agrees. Do not use this general description as personal clearance.
What happens with the chest drains?
One or two chest drains may remove air and fluid around the lung. A provider removes them when the amount coming out is low enough.
What are the most common lobectomy complications?
The most common complication described is atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm. Other risks include bleeding, prolonged air leak, blood clots, nerve injury, air under the skin, infection and exertional shortness of breath.
Can a lobectomy cure lung cancer?
For selected people with early-stage lung cancer, surgery may offer the best chance of cure. A lobectomy or segmentectomy can cure some people with stage I to III non-small cell lung cancer. Individual outlook depends on diagnosis, stage, pathology, health and additional treatment.
Does a lobectomy remove nearby lymph nodes?
The surgeon may sample nearby chest lymph nodes to check for spread of disease or cancer. The plan depends on the diagnosis and surgical approach.
What tests are done before lobectomy?
Testing may include a physical exam, chest imaging, pulmonary function tests, six-minute walk tests, perfusion scan, biopsy, blood tests and heart tests. Cancer staging may include head CT or MRI in some situations.
Will someone need oxygen after lobectomy?
Some people may receive oxygen therapy briefly after leaving the hospital. The care team decides whether it is needed and explains how it should be used.
When should someone call the care team?
Contact the care team for infection signs such as fever, chills or fatigue, or for concerns covered by the discharge instructions. Ask which symptoms require urgent attention.
How soon is lobectomy follow-up?
A follow-up visit usually occurs seven to 21 days after surgery. It may include a chest X-ray, wound and recovery assessment, test-result discussion and updated activity or work guidance.
How long might CT follow-up continue?
Depending on the diagnosis and cancer stage, CT scans may continue for five years and may occur every six months after surgery. The oncology team determines the schedule.
Can lung cancer come back after lobectomy?
Yes. Recurrence is possible. When it occurs, it is often within the first five years. Pathology and the follow-up plan help the team monitor and guide care.
Does a minimally invasive lobectomy mean easy surgery?
No. VATS or robotic surgery may reduce pain, bleeding and recovery time in appropriate cases, but a lobectomy remains major surgery with serious possible complications.
Should someone stop smoking before lobectomy?
Avoiding tobacco products before surgery can lower complication risk. Ask the care team for individualized support and do not change medicines or treatment without medical guidance.
What support may help after surgery?
A person may benefit from help with meals, groceries, housework, transportation and appointments during the first weeks. The care team can explain restrictions and signs that require a call.
Related guides
References
NHS. Treatment for lung cancer. NHS website. Last reviewed August 20, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lung-cancer/treatment/
American Lung Association. Lobectomy. American Lung Association. Last updated November 20, 2024. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/lobectomy
Harris RA, Law JJ, Hao L, et al. Survival outcome of VATS compared with open lobectomy for lung cancer: an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised trials. Lancet. 2026;407(10534):1182-1190. PMID 41864749. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00031-0
Saji H, Okada M, Tsuboi M, et al. Segmentectomy versus lobectomy in small-sized peripheral non-small-cell lung cancer (JCOG0802/WJOG4607L): a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial. Lancet. 2022;399(10335):1607-1617. PMID 35461558. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02333-3
Brascia D, Mangiameli G, Giudici VM, et al. Does the surgical approach affect the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after thoracic surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Updates Surg. 2025;77(5):1279-1288. PMID 40082340. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13304-025-02164-7
Cleveland Clinic. Lung Lobectomy: Surgery, Recovery & Outlook. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated May 6, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17608-lobectomy
Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions about a medical condition or treatment.
A thoracic surgeon and care team must tailor diagnosis, staging, approach, anesthesia, medicines, support, activity and recovery. Do not use this article to self-diagnose, change treatment or decide whether surgery is appropriate.
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