Thoracic surgery

Thoracic Surgery, also known as Cardiothoracic Surgery when involving the heart, is a surgical specialty focused on the organs within the thorax—the chest cavity that houses the lungs, heart, esophagus, and trachea.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Thoracic surgeons manage surgical conditions of the chest, primarily involving the lungs and the mediastinum, but not typically those that concern the heart, which are within the purview of cardiac surgeons. Procedures often address diseases affecting the lungs, chest wall, diaphragm, and esophagus.

Conditions Treated[edit | edit source]

Thoracic surgeons treat a variety of conditions such as:

Lung cancer
Esophageal cancer
Mesothelioma
Benign diseases and conditions of the lung, esophagus, and chest wall
Trauma to the chest
Pulmonary tuberculosis and other infectious diseases
Congenital abnormalities of the chest and lungs

Surgical Procedures[edit | edit source]

Common thoracic surgical procedures include:

Lobectomy or Pneumonectomy for lung cancer
Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer
Procedures to manage chest trauma
Surgery for emphysema, such as lung volume reduction surgery

Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery[edit | edit source]

The field has seen significant advancements in minimally invasive techniques, such as:

Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS): Using a video camera to visualize the inside of the chest on a video screen
Robotic-assisted surgery, allowing for precise, minimally invasive procedures

Training and Certification[edit | edit source]

To become a thoracic surgeon, one must complete a general surgery residency followed by a thoracic surgery fellowship. In some regions, an integrated residency program combines both general and thoracic surgery training. Board certification is achieved through the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

Research and Innovation[edit | edit source]

Research in thoracic surgery is robust, focusing on improving surgical outcomes, developing new surgical techniques, and advancing the understanding of thoracic diseases.

List of Thoracic Surgeons (USA)[edit | edit source]

US territories

See Also[edit | edit source]

Thoracic surgery Resources
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