What does decortication of the lung involve?

Decortication of the lung specifically involves the surgical removal of fibrous tissue from the lung surface. This procedure is typically performed in cases where there is a thick, fibrous pleural peel due to conditions like empyema or chronic infections, which restrict lung expansion and function. By removing this fibrous tissue, the aim is to allow for better lung re-expansion and to improve respiratory function.

In comparing the other choices, removal of an entire lung is known as pneumonectomy, and removal of a lobe of the lung is referred to as lobectomy; neither of these terms pertains to the process of decortication. Reshaping the thoracic cavity does not accurately describe the action taken in decortication, as the procedure is focused specifically on the removal of fibrous tissue rather than altering the shape of the cavity itself. Thus, the definition and intention behind decortication uniquely align with the process of removing fibrous tissue from the lung.