A Patient's Guide to Lung Surgery

Thoracotomy: Risks and Complications

The risks associated with thoracotomy include the following:

• Risks of general anesthesia
• Wound infection
• Bleeding
• Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia)
• Air leak through the lung wall, requiring a longer hospital stay
• Worsening of any existing heart problems
• Blockage of a blood vessel in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) with potential for blood clots in the lung (pulmonary embolism)

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