Keung Ung, M.D., heart and chest surgeon at Western Baptist Hospital, is the first in the area to perform video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to remove an entire lobe of the lung. 

Dr. Ung chose the new procedure instead of the traditional open-chest surgery to remove the cancerous upper right lobe of Paul Park, 84, on June 12.  Park left the hospital four days later and is recovering at his Paducah home.

         A routine physical through a program at USEC, where Park was employed 30 years, revealed a lump the size of a grape. Dr. Ung discussed surgical options, comparing VATS with the traditional method of spreading the ribs and making a larger incision.

“The new procedure can effectively treat early-stage lung cancer while offering patients a shorter hospital stay, less pain and a faster recovery time,” said Dr. Ung.

The VATS procedure has been used for several years to remove small areas of the lung, to take tissue biopsies and to treat other conditions.  However, removing the entire lobe is a new option.  A tiny camera is inserted through one small incision, while surgical instruments are inserted through other small incisions.  Real time, 2-D images of the chest are transmitted on a monitor, guiding the surgeon.

 “I was very thankful I didn’t have to go the other route,” Park said. “I had a lot of confidence in Dr. Ung. Even after surgery, he called my house two different times to check on me.” 

Now the 84-year-old is back to his busy life caring for his large garden, mowing his acre of land, enjoying family and friends and opening St. Paul Lutheran church every Sunday morning.

Minimize lung cancer risks

While early detection and surgical procedures are improving for lung cancer, prevention is still the key.  To decrease your chances of developing lung cancer:

• Do not smoke.
• If you smoke, quit.
• Avoid second-hand smoke.
• Avoid asbestos and radon exposure.
• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Exercise.

For more information on surgical services at Western Baptist, visit westernbaptist.com or phone Baptist Health Line at (270) 575-2918.