Thoracic Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, and Benefits and Side Effects

Thoracic surgery can be defined as a type of surgical procedure that mainly focuses on treating conditions pertaining to the body’s thorax (chest) area. This can include the lungs, mediastinum (or the area between the pair of lungs), oesophagus, diaphragm, and trachea. In other words, the main objective of thoracic surgery is to improve the function of the thoracic organs and treat conditions that are affecting them.

A thoracic surgeon or specialist may treat conditions that predominantly affect the chest, lungs, and oesophagus. This includes (but is not limited to) the following conditions:

• Pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, and other similar end-stage lung diseases
• Chest wall tumours
• Esophageal cancer
• Tracheal stenosis (or narrowing of the windpipe or trachea)
• GERD and acid reflux
• Hiatal hernia
• Hyperhidrosis (or involuntary, excessive sweating)
• Pectus excavatum (or sunken chest)

So, in a nutshell, thoracic surgery is any operation that's performed on the thorax, which is the area of the body between the neck and the abdomen. This includes surgery on the lungs, heart, trachea, diaphragm, oesophagus, and chest wall.

There are numerous different types of thoracic surgery, which is defined as any surgery that treats conditions affecting the chest, lungs, and oesophagus. Some of the most common types of thoracic surgery include:

Also known as laryngotracheal reconstruction surgery, it is basically an option to widen a narrow windpipe, or trachea. If something is obstructing your windpipe and needs to be removed, your doctor may recommend this type of surgery.

The purpose of laryngotracheal reconstruction surgery is so you can breathe without the help of a tracheotomy or breathing tube. Children often require airway reconstruction surgery due to physical abnormalities, but adults may also need the surgery if their windpipe narrows for any number of reasons.

It is a surgical procedure that allows doctors to have a look at your lungs and air passages. Usually, it is a pulmonologist (a doctor who specialises in lung disorders) who performs the bronchoscopy. A bronchoscope, which is a thin tube, is passed through your nose or mouth and all the way down your throat into your lungs during the procedure.

While bronchoscopy is most commonly performed with a flexible bronchoscope, there are certain instances where a rigid bronchoscope may be required, such as if there's excessive bleeding in your lungs or if a large object is obstructing your airway. If you are ever in doubt, don't wait to speak with your physician in order to ensure that the proper bronchoscope is being used for your specific situation.

This surgical procedure can help transmasculine individuals feel more comfortable and confident in their affirmed gender by removing excess breast tissue and creating a more masculine appearance. For many people, chest reconstruction is the only surgical step required in the gender affirmation process.

'Gender affirmation surgeries' is an umbrella term used for surgical procedures undertaken by transgender and gender diverse people to affirm their gender identity. 'Top' or 'bottom' surgeries refer to surgeries performed on different parts of the body; 'top' surgeries are those performed on the chest, such as mastectomies (removal of breast tissue), or 'bottom' surgeries refer to procedures performed on the genitals.

A heart transplant (surgery) can be defined as a life-saving procedure in which a failing (or malfunctioning) heart is replaced (through surgery) with a healthy donor heart. That said, it must be noted that this treatment may not be the first line of defence used against your condition. Medications and other surgeries will be attempted first, and if those don't work to improve your condition, then a heart transplant will be used as a last resort.

With proper postoperative care, patients have a significant chance of surviving a heart transplant. Even though it is a major and critical operation, heart transplant patients have a great chance of living a healthy and long life after undergoing this surgery with the right follow-up care.

All in all, heart transplants are often seen as a last resort for treating heart conditions that haven't responded to other forms of treatment. In adults, heart failure can occur owing to a number of different causes, including:

• Coronary artery disease
• Weakening of the heart muscle (or cardiomyopathy)
• Congenital heart defect
• Heart valve disease
• Dangerous recurring abnormal heart rhythms (or ventricular arrhythmias) not controlled by other treatments
• Failure of a previous heart transplant

Pulmonary transplantation, also known as lung transplant surgery, is a procedure to replace one or both lungs with donated lungs. The donor lungs can come from a living or deceased donor. However, a living donor can donate only one lobe (section) of a lung.

A lung transplant may be indispensable for patients or individuals who are suffering from a serious lung condition. The procedure involves replacing one or both of your lungs, based on the severity of your disease or condition.

A lung transplant is undoubtedly a major decision and must be taken very carefully. There are a number of things that must be considered before going through with the surgery, such as the risks and complications involved. However, if you are healthy enough to undergo the surgery and you are not expected to have any serious complications, a lung transplant can greatly improve your health and quality of life.

• Thoracic surgery can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions or disorders, including benign growths and tumours in the lung, lung infections and effusions, lung cancer, swallowing issues (such as achalasia and others), oesophageal cancer, strictures and tumours in the oesophagus, mesothelioma, gastroesophageal reflux, hyperhidrosis, tumours in the chest wall, and so on. Thoracic surgeons can also perform lung transplants (especially for patients with end-stage lung diseases), resection of the trachea, and remove blockages in the heart and arteries.
• In other words, thoracic surgery is a life-saving measure for those who are suffering from heart or lung conditions. The surgery can help improve or extend the patient's life. The surgical procedure can also have a major impact on the quality of your life by helping your lungs or heart work better. For example, if you have difficulty breathing, this type of surgery can improve your airflow and help you breathe more easily.
• Additionally, if you have heart problems, this surgery can help improve blood flow and reduce your risk of any life-threatening heart disease. Thoracic surgery can also help alleviate difficulty swallowing or other issues that may cause daily discomfort. Some other benefits and advantages of thoracic surgery may include (but are not limited to):
• Good riddance to a chronic and life-threatening disease or disorder
• Good riddance to all the pain and trauma pertaining to your condition
• Good riddance to a lot of harsh drugs and medications
• Healthier organs in the thoracic cavity
• Improved life quality
• Improved overall health
• Increased life expectancy (or longevity)
• Better physical as well as mental health

Thoracic surgery is, in a nutshell, a field of medicine that predominantly focuses on treating conditions related to the thorax, or chest, area of the human body. This can include the human lungs, mediastinum (or the area between the lungs), oesophagus, diaphragm, and trachea. Some of the commonest conditions that thoracic surgeons address (or treat) may include (but are not limited to) pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, chest wall tumours, and other end-stage heart or lung diseases.

• Wound infection
• Atelectasis
• Haemorrhage
• Pneumonia
• Cardiac herniation (rare)

Note: You can avoid most of the risks associated with different types of thoracic surgery by entrusting experienced doctors and surgeons, such as the medical professionals available at Pristyn Care.

Some medications can interfere with your surgery, so it's important to tell your doctor about any medicines you're taking—even if you got them without a prescription. Your doctor or healthcare provider may advise you to stop taking certain drugs or medications a few days before your surgery. However, you should not stop taking any essential medicines on your own or until your doctor tells you to.

You should also be sure to follow your healthcare provider's instructions on when you should stop eating and drinking anything before the surgical procedure. Depending on the type of surgery you're having, you may be asked to stop consuming any food or fluids anywhere from several hours to the entire day before the procedure. It must be noted that failing to comply with these instructions by any means may result in your surgery being called off or postponed.

Apart from that, it is important to stop using tobacco at least one month before lung surgery. This, along with avoiding tobacco for a month after surgery, can significantly reduce your risk of developing complications with your surgical wound. Additionally, some other steps that must be taken by you before undergoing any kind of thoracic surgery include:

• Plan your recovery beforehand
• Stay away from unhealthy (or junk) food
• Avoid consuming any alcoholic beverages
• Take ample rest to prepare your body for the procedure
• Stay calm and positive about your surgery

A surgeon can opt for an open or minimally invasive approach when performing any kind of thoracic surgery. Open surgery requires a larger incision, while minimally invasive surgery only needs smaller incisions. For this type of surgery, surgeons place a video camera through your chest, which allows them to have a better view of the area they are operating on.

The video camera basically helps surgeons see inside your chest while they operate. They make small incisions and insert long, thin instruments through them to carry out the procedure. Handheld video cameras and essential surgical instruments allow surgeons or healthcare providers to perform minimally invasive surgical procedures more conveniently.

These types of surgery are less invasive than traditional open procedures, which means that there is less damage to the surrounding tissues. Also, these procedures often require shorter hospital stays and result in less pain and a speedier recovery.

Surgeons can even use robots to assist them with minimally invasive surgery. The robot holds the instruments and camera, but the surgeon still has control over them. All in all, this type of surgery is less invasive and can be less risky for patients.

Before undergoing thoracic surgery, you may need to get a few blood tests done, depending on the type of operation. If you are having heart surgery, for example, you will likely need to go through some imaging tests or tests that measure your heart rhythm and function. For lung issues, on the other hand, you will need tests that measure how well your lungs work (pulmonary function) as well as imaging.

Pulmonary function testing is essentially useful in the diagnosis and treatment of certain disorders (or diseases) related to the lungs. It can provide information about how well your lungs work and how well they are able to exchange gases. Imaging can also be helpful in diagnosing lung problems, as it can show the structure and function of your lungs.

A healthcare provider may use one of several methods to take tissue samples from your lungs. The test results will help the thoracic surgeon plan your surgery. They may ask you to walk up several flights of stairs or in a line for at least six minutes in order to predict your risk of complications.

Anaesthesia will be delivered through an IV to put you to sleep. You will also receive a breathing tube. Depending on the type of thoracic surgery, a machine may be needed to assist with heart and lung function during the surgery.

Thereafter, your surgeon will:

• Make the needed incisions in either a traditional or minimally invasive way
• May cut through your breastbone (sternotomy) or between your ribs (thoracotomy) to reach the area
• Repair, remove, and/or replace the organ or body part that requires surgery
• Check for bleeding
• Close all incisions

• You will wake up in a recovery room or intensive care unit after the surgery is successfully done. A provider or assistant doctor will remove your breathing tube, and you will have tubes in your chest to provide drainage. Also, you will most likely have a catheter attached to your bladder for the purpose of collecting urine.
• Your provider will let you know when they think you are ready to be moved to a regular hospital room. As soon as you are feeling up to it, you can begin walking around your room and the hallway with assistance.
• After you have completed the goals your medical provider has set for you post-surgery, you will be able to return home. This typically takes anywhere from three to ten days following the surgery, depending on the type of surgery you had. In the meantime, you can also do some breathing exercises to help expand your lungs back to their full capacity.

India has a wealth of internationally trained surgeons who specialise in both general thoracic surgery and cardiothoracic surgery. These healthcare providers and surgeons are highly skilled and experienced and can provide top-quality care for patients. In fact, India is an excellent choice for medical tourists seeking to undergo any type of thoracic surgery, as the cost of treatment and surgery is significantly lower than in other countries.

Furthermore, the cost of different types of thoracic surgery can differ depending on the type of surgery and the procedures involved. So, if you are looking for an exact quote, please contact our team of professionals. We would be happy to give you a quote based on your individual needs.

After thoracic surgery, different people feel pain or discomfort for different lengths of time. Even after you leave the hospital, you may still experience some pain and will likely need to take medication for it.

Some people may have tightness, soreness, or muscle aches around their incisions (or cuts) for the next six months (after surgery) or even longer. However, this is quite normal and does not mean something is wrong. You should also keep in mind that you must always follow your healthcare provider's instructions for stopping any pain medication (or other medication) that has been prescribed to you.

Apart from all that, it is also important that you never take more medication than is recommended to you either by the label or your healthcare provider. Taking too much medication can be extremely dangerous and give rise to serious health complications. Make sure you are always aware of how much medicine you are taking and never exceed the recommended dose.

For the first month or two following surgery, doctors recommend that patients eat whatever they want without worrying about their fat or salt intake. The reason for this is that anaesthesia usually causes a decrease in appetite.

However, you must consider eating a good source of protein at each mealtime, such as lean meats, fish, or eggs. You must also consider incorporating more whole grains, green vegetables, and fresh fruits into your everyday diet. Apart from that, you must keep in mind that you should stay hydrated by drinking lots of healthy fluids (including water) throughout the day!

As with any surgery, there are potential risks involved with both traditional and minimally invasive thoracic surgery. The most common of these complications and risks may include bleeding, infection, pain, irregular heartbeats, and air leakage from your lungs.

Please keep in mind that robotic-assisted surgery may have a few disadvantages, such as longer operative times and a longer time under anaesthesia, which in turn may raise the risk of complications. However, most of the risks associated with thoracic surgery can be greatly reduced by choosing the right team of surgeons, such as the experienced professionals at Pristyn Care.

It is believed that thoracic surgery is one of the most painful types of surgery that a person can go through. The pain can be caused by a number of things, and it can be made worse by things such as the type of surgery and the patient's individual condition.

It must be noted that post-thoracotomy pain is something that may affect as many as 50 percent of the patients undergoing a chest incision. This type of pain is usually caused by damage to the intercostal nerves and muscles between the ribs. Unfortunately, this damage cannot be avoided during surgery.To help alleviate this pain, it's important to take care of a few things before and during the surgical procedure. Apart from that, preparation by the surgical team as well as post-operative care are also essential in helping to minimise pain and discomfort for the patient.

The amount of time it takes to recover from thoracic surgery varies, depending mainly on the type of procedure you underwent. In some cases, patients may have to spend a week in the hospital after their surgical procedure. However, if the surgery was minimally invasive, the patient may only need three or four days to recover. They may still need at least a month, or even more at times, to recover completely.

During your recovery, it is important to focus on taking care of yourself. Get plenty of rest and follow your doctor’s instructions for post-operative care. Keep your diet based on healthy foods and try to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as much as possible, as they can slow down the healing process. With proper care, you should be able to return to your normal activities within a few weeks or months.

• Bleeding
• Pain
• Infection
• Swelling
• Blood clots
• Slow recovery

Note: You can avoid most of the risks associated with different types of thoracic surgery by entrusting experienced doctors and surgeons, such as the medical professionals available at Pristyn Care.

After you undergo thoracic surgery, you will most likely have more than one cut or incision on your body. The location of these cuts on your body will depend on the type of surgical procedure you underwent.

There will be incisions both at the surgical site and for the chest tube. So, it is important that you take extra care of these incisions and do everything possible to help them heal quickly. This includes keeping the area clean and dry, applying bandages as needed, and taking any medication prescribed by your doctor.

The skin below your incision may feel numb, and this is quite normal. This happens because some of your nerves were cut during your surgery, but the numbness will go away on its own over time. So, don't feel stressed about it.Furthermore, you may follow the tips given below to speed up the recovery process:

• Follow all your doctor's instructions
• Stay away from strenuous activities
• Do not consume any alcoholic drinks while you are still recovering
• Strictly avoid consuming any tobacco products (including cigarettes)
• Eat only healthy food with lots of protein
• Avoid consuming any kind of junk food
• Don't stress your body or mind
• Get ample rest
• Sleep well
• Stay positive

Thoracic surgery is a branch of surgery that deals with the chest and heart. It includes a wide variety of operations, ranging from simple to complex procedures. Surgery for the heart is a well-established area of surgery and is regarded as very safe.

Surgeons have been performing heart surgery for over 50 years, and the modern techniques used are very effective and safe. That said, having a heart operation is still a serious matter, which is why it is important to be well informed before you finally make a decision.

In fact, it is quite normal to have questions and feel anxious before surgery. So, make sure that you ask your healthcare provider about anything you don't understand regarding your procedure. The more informed you are, the more comfortable you will feel about going through with the surgery!