Pain lower right rib and cough after robotic lung surgery

Hello @mike1942 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm guessing this has been as frustrating as it has been concerning, especially after trying to recover. You will notice that I have moved your post into the Lung Health Group, as well as kept it in the Cancer Group you originally posted it in. This may help bring in other members who have experiences they can share.

Can I clarify that you just had this start 10 months after your surgery? It wasn't happening before that?

Actually, posted for my wife. This pain started several days after surgery as did the cough, Mucus blobs started about a month after. Antibiotics three weeks ago for 10 days and cough mitigated, blobs somewhat smaller occurring every two-three days. However, pain levels, tightness and swelling has remained same since surgery in June 2021! Thank you

Hi Mike, how is your wife doing? May I ask what condition your wife has or why she had the surgery? I'd like to connect you with others.

I assume she was given antibiotics to combat an infection that may be causing this pain. Have the antibiotics helped?

Thank you- two separate issues- Staph infection was mitigated with antibiotics, however, still coughing up a mucus blob- every two-three days and will return to pulmonologist in two weeks. Pain in bottom right rib is probably due to a severely damaged nerve and or muscle or both. Will address with pain management on March 23rd… both conditions have persisted for 8 months. Have attached photo of mucus!

Did your wife have lung surgery for cancer?

Yes, NSCC stage 2 top right lobe removed

Good to know, Mike. I added this discussion to the Lung Cancer group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lung-cancer/) where you'll meet other lung cancer members like @merpreb @speedy @lls8000 @carlies and many more.

Cough and mucus blobs finally resolved… Pulmonologist at UAB Birmingham and validated at Univ of Tx Health center.causation is MAC a serious lung disease in the Non Contagious TB family… a long journey. Physician at Mayo suggested UT for convenience factor. She still has pain associated with damage to intercostal nerve and associated fractured rib from robotic surgery!

I recently had robotic assisted lobectomy on Jan 10th been almost two months and lower right rib still hurts bad and from under right breast all the way around ti middle of my back still numb, stomach still swelled up pretty bad on right

Not sure about the pain you are experiencing but I had a lower left lobectomy in March 2022 and am still numb
at the highest point of entry of surgery. I believe where they actually removed the lobe. Doctor said after one year it is what it is but no pain after first couple of weeks. Hope this helps. Best to you!