HEART AND LUNG SURGERY << BACK Thoracic Procedures: Lung Surgery Lung surgery is any surgical procedure that allows the surgeon to directly affect the lungs, such as removal of a section of lung because of a tumor or an infection, biopsy of the lung to obtain a diagnosis, and lung transplantation. While the patient is under general anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision between the ribs to expose the lung. The chest cavity is examined and diseased lung tissue is removed. This examination may be performed directly (thoracotomy) or with the aid of a camera (thoracoscopy). A chest tube is inserted to drain air, fluid, and blood out of the chest cavity, and then the ribs and skin are closed. After surgery, a patient usually stays in the hospital for seven to 10 days. Deep breathing is important to help prevent pneumonia and infection and to re-expand the lung. The chest tube remains in place until the lung has fully expanded. Complete recovery usually takes about one to three months.