Cardiothoracic surgery

Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the thorax (the chest). Generally treatment of conditions of the heart (heart disease) and lungs (lung disease).

=Cardiac / Thoracic=
Cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery are separate surgical specialties, but are frequently grouped together as cardiothoracic surgery (primarily in the United States). Cardiac surgery generally refers to surgery of the heart and great vessels, and thoracic surgery generally refers to surgery of the chest other than the heart. A cardiothoracic surgeon will perform surgery within the realm of both cardiac and thoracic surgery.

=VATS=V.A.T.S. or Video Assisted thoracic surgery is performed using a small video camera that is introduced into the patient's chest via a scope. The surgeon is able to view the instruments that are being used along with the anatomy that is being operated on. The camera and instruments are inserted through separate holes in the chest wall also known as "ports". These small ports are advantageous because of the chance for infection and dehiscence are drastically reduced. This allows for a faster recovery by the patient and a greater chance for the wound to heal. [Shields, 524]

ee also

* Cardiac surgery
* Thoracic surgery
* Cardiothoracic surgeon
* Cardiothoracic Surgery Network
* Surgeons

References

*cite book| last =Shields| first =Thomas| authorlink =| coauthors = | title =General Thoracic Surgery| publisher = Lippincott Williams & Wilkins| date =2004| location =| pages =524| url =| doi =| id = | isbn =978-0781738897

External links

* [http://www.ctsnet.org Cardiothoracic Surgery Network]
* [http://www.aats.org American Association for Thoracic Surgery]
* [http://www.ismics.org/ International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery]