Roughly How Long?

[Ken4155]

My daughter was taken to theatre at 0815 today to have a slow growing carcinoma removed from one of her lungs. At her pre-op last week, it was explained to her that they hoped to do this by VATS, which is less invasive, but she also had to be prepared for them to have to go in through her back, spreading her ribs to get to the lung. Anyone have any experience of either op and how long they take to perform? I'm not panicking or anything but i will feel more relaxed if i have some sort of idea how long she will be in theatre.

[Arksided]

I've no experience of this Ken but my thoughts are with you and your family and hope She comes through OK. Xx

[EDDIE51]

No way of knowing ! Until they actually 'Open her up ' there is no way to estimate the time nessesary ! But several hours no matter what they do ! My father had an operation for lung cancer . He was 'in Theatre' for over 6 hours !

[albaqwerty]

No idea, I'm afraid, but I echo Arky's comments.
x

[Sqad]

It is a common and well tried procedure.
VATS is a non invasive procedure which is much less traumatic to the patient but may have the disadvantage of limited operative vision and if this is the case, then VATS is abandoned and the chest is opened to improve the exposure.
Time in theatre? Depends on which approach is needed........could be anything fro 2-3 hours.
No, I haven't had personal experience.

[Ken4155]

Thanks, all. Good job she was first in the queue. Obviously i've told her not to bother trying to contact me until she is fully compos mentis (sometime tomorrow, no doubt) and i will be informed when she comes out of surgery - just as long as my ex (her mother) remembers to inform my other daughters.

[ummmm]

Drugs have a habit of sending me a doolally so I spend quite a bit of time in recovery.

[Arksided]

All the best to you Ummm, we await your return.

[anneasquith]

Ken. Best wishes to your daughter. It’s only natural you are concerned .

[Ken4155]

Just been informed that my daughter's partner has been told he may as well go and grab a bite to eat instead of waiting in the 'family' room as "it will be a while, yet." Sounds, maybe, as if they tried the VATS but have had to go for plan B. Which probably means that she will have to spend more time away from her kids:-(

[naomi24]

I’ve no experience of this procedure, Ken, but I do know that patients are often kept in recovery for quite a while after surgery, so she’s probably out of theatre and will soon be on her way back to a ward. Easier said than done, I know, but try not to worry. I wish her well.

[Ken4155]

And breathe:-) Daughter has just come out of theatre (approx 6.5 hours) and will be moved to a ward within the next hour. Be at least 90 mins before her partner can see her, though and will most likely find out then if all of her 'unwanted guest' has been evicted.
Once again, thanks all.

[Arksided]

Brilliant news Ken, thank you for letting us know all the best to her and you my friend :-)

[anneasquith]

Good news ken .

[Bobbisox1]

That’s good news Ken, what a worrying time for you, I hope the op was a complete success

[hellywelly4]

Very worrying for you all Ken. I hope they have removed 'it' and that she makes a full recovery xxx

[TonyV]

Ken glad she is out of surgery which must be a relief to all, even when she is back on ward it will take a while for her to become fully conscious.

[naomi24]

All the best to her ken.

[LadyCG]

Ken, I'm not all that knowledgeable about VATS but we get a lot of referrals come our way from the Cardiothoracic Team for consideration of adjuvant chemo post VATS lobectomy.

What I will say is if she's offered adjuvant chemo she should take it. Lung cancers have a habit of relapsing in patients who decline chemo.

[Ken4155]

Once again, thanks for your thoughts everyone. I won't bore you all to death with regular updates. But i will leave you all with this last one; The operation took a bit longer than was anticipated but it would appear that they have managed to remove the carcinoma (and a section of her lung) in it's entirety. Ever since the blasted thing showed up on her x-ray, we have been hoping for 'best case scenario' and, while our hopes haven't always been realised, i am more than hopeful that they have today.
Lady CG; we have already discussed chemo and she says that she will follow whatever recommendation the consultant makes. Sensible girl - takes after her dad, of course:-)

[Lie-in King]

Ken, just seen this & I send my hope for a speedy & comfortable recovery for your daughter & best wishes to the family :-)