What does a thoracic surgeon do?
A thoracic surgeon is a surgeon that is specialized in surgeries that involve the organs within the thoracic cavity (the medical term for the chest). The heart, lungs, and large blood vessels that connect to these organs are the main things that thoracic surgeons operate on. Thoracic surgeons perform a massive variety of surgeries. Removal of tumors, repair of heart defects, and repairing damage from trauma are all common for thoracic surgeons.
Why am I being referred to a thoracic surgeon?
There are several reasons why your doctor may refer you to a thoracic surgeon. Some of the most common reasons are:
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), commonly called a “heart bypass”
- Removal of a suspected lung tumor
- Replacement of a heart valve
- Repair of an aneurysm in the large blood vessels
- Repair of a hernia in the diaphragm (hiatal hernia)
What is the most common thoracic surgery?
One of the most common thoracic surgeries is the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). This procedure is done to treat severe blockages of the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary artery disease). These blockages develop over time due to fat sticking to the inner walls of the blood vessels. This process is sped up by conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
A cardiologist will refer you to a thoracic surgeon if they feel that a CABG is necessary to treat your coronary artery disease. This procedure is a major surgery and requires several days of recovery in the hospital followed by weeks of part-time rehabilitation. However, the cost of not performing a CABG when one is required is also high. Untreated severe heart disease dramatically raises the risk of a severe and potentially fatal heart attack.
How serious is thoracic surgery?
Thoracic surgery is almost always a major surgical procedure. Any surgery that involves the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels has the opportunity to lead to serious injury or death. Even the most common thoracic surgery, the CABG, can lead to serious complications. Because of this, thoracic surgeons train for a very long time. Thoracic surgeons complete four years of medical school, five years of surgery residency, and two years of specialty training specifically in thoracic surgery. This large amount of experience even at the beginning of their careers make thoracic surgeons extremely skilled at their job.
How painful is thoracic surgery?
Due to the large variety of thoracic surgeries, it is impossible to state exactly how painful any one surgery will be. These surgeries are generally major procedures that will require multiple days of recovery in the hospital. While this means that they are likely to be more painful, it also means that doctors will be available in the hospital to help you through the pain after the procedure.
Many of the conditions treated by cardiothoracic surgeons will lead to severe illness or death if the surgery is not performed. Because of this, the pain from surgery is generally acceptable given the lack of other options.
Is a thoracic surgeon a cardiologist?
No, cardiologists are medical specialists that focus on the medical treatment of the heart. While some cardiologists pursue additional training to perform minor procedures, they do not perform the complex heart surgeries that thoracic surgeons do.
Likewise, thoracic surgeons do not treat heart attacks, rhythm problems with the heart, or monitor patients for the development of heart disease. Because of these unique skill sets, cardiologists and thoracic surgeons often work together to ensure that their patients get the best possible care.
