segmentectomy
Pronunciation: seg-men-TEK-to-mee
Surgical removal of a pulmonary segment, a lung-sparing procedure for small peripheral tumors or patients with limited pulmonary reserve.
Full Definition
Segmentectomy is an anatomical lung resection that removes a pulmonary segment while preserving the remaining segments within the same lobe. This procedure has gained renewed interest as a lung-sparing alternative to lobectomy for small peripheral lung cancers, particularly ground-glass opacities and tumors ≤2 cm in diameter. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated oncological equivalence to lobectomy for selected early-stage tumors while preserving more lung function. The procedure requires precise identification of segmental anatomy and careful division of segmental bronchi, vessels, and parenchyma, making it technically more challenging than lobectomy.
Usage
Usage note: Specify which segment is resected, as anatomical precision is crucial for surgical planning.
In Context
- "Left upper lobe superior segmentectomy was performed for the 1.5 cm adenocarcinoma to preserve pulmonary function." — Operative report
- "The patient was deemed suitable for segmentectomy based on tumor size, location, and borderline pulmonary function tests." — Multidisciplinary team meeting notes