Decortication

Doctors do a procedure called decortication to help people breathe better. This procedure is for people who have trouble breathing. Doctors remove a layer of tissue that has built up around the lungs. This tissue is too thick. It causes problems with breathing. The lungs are very important. Decortication helps them work properly. Doctors do decortication to treat a condition called fibrothorax. Fibrothorax happens when the tissue around the lungs gets thick because of an infection. Decortication helps the lungs work properly again by removing the tissue. Decortication is a way to treat lung problems like fibrothorax.

There are two ways to do decortication. One way is Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery decortication. The other way is Open Decortication.
 

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery decortication:

This is a procedure where the doctor uses a tool to remove the tissue around the lung. The doctor makes cuts in the chest and uses a camera to see what they are doing. This helps the doctor remove the tissue around the lung.  The doctor uses a camera to see the tissue around the lung. This procedure is used to treat conditions like fibrothorax.  Other conditions that can be treated with Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery decortication include:

Fibrothorax: this is when the tissue around the lungs becomes thick because of an infection.
Organizing Pneumonia: this is when the lung tissue gets inflamed.
Empyema: this is when there is an infection in the space around the lungs.
Chronic Pleural Effusion: this is when fluid builds up around the lungs.

Here's what happens during Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery decortication:
The patient gets medicine to make them sleep. The doctor makes cuts in the chest. A special camera is put in one of the cuts. The doctor uses tools to remove the tissue from around the lung. A drain is put in to remove fluid. The cuts are then closed with stitches. The patient gets medicine to help with pain. The good things about Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery decortication are: It's not very invasive. The patient can go home from the hospital sooner.  The patient doesn't feel pain. The patient only stays in the hospital for a time. However there are risks with Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery decortication, including:
Bleeding. Infection in the chest.  The doctor might hurt the lung. Fluid might build up around the lungs again.

Open Decortication:

This is a surgery where the doctor makes a bigger cut in the chest to get to the lung. This is usually done when the other procedure won't work. Open Decortication is used to treat conditions like empyema. Other conditions that can be treated with Open Decortication include:  
Severe Empyema: this is when the infection is very bad.

Drainage: this is when the other procedure doesn't work.
Massive Fibrosis: this is when the tissue around the lungs is very thick.
Pleural Effusion: this is when there is a lot of fluid around the lungs.

Here's what happens during Open Decortication: The doctor makes a cut in the chest. The doctor opens it up to get to the lung. The doctor removes the tissue from around the lung. A tube is put in to drain fluid. The doctor helps the patient feel better. The good things about Open Decortication are:  The doctor can see the area clearly. It's good for diseases that are bad. It can be better at removing the tissue. However there are risks with Open Decortication, including: The patient has to stay in the hospital for a while. *The patient feels pain. There's a risk of infection and bleeding. For both procedures the patient needs to stay in the hospital. The patient needs medicine to help with pain. The patient needs exercise to help the lungs get better. Decortication helps people breathe better. Decortication removes tissue that’s too thick. Decortication helps people feel better. Doctors do decortication to treat lung problems. Decortication is good for people with lung problems. Decortication is a way to help people, with lung problems breathe better.