Sleeve Lobectomy

Sleeve lobectomy is a procedure to remove a lobe of the lung and part of the airway to eradicate disease such as cancer. The lungs are naturally divided into lobes; three lobes on the right and two on the left. The trachea or windpipe divides into the right and left mainstem bronchi which enter the lungs to supply air. The bronchi further branch to supply the individual lobes within the lungs. During a sleeve lobectomy, one of the lung lobes is removed along with part of the airway system, followed by reattachment of the airway. Advances in medical technology enable this procedure to be performed in a minimally invasive manner with robotic assistance.