Cardiothoracic surgery, also known as thoracic surgery, is a specialized field that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of organs within the chest cavity, including the heart, lungs, trachea and respiratory system, chest wall, diaphragm, phrenic muscles, and oesophagus. Cardiothoracic surgeons provide appropriate treatment tailored to each patient’s condition to address a wide range of congenital and acquired diseases. They work closely with cardiologists and respiratory specialists to provide comprehensive care to patients, ensuring optimal outcomes in terms of diagnosis, surgery, and postoperative treatment.

1. Cardiovascular Diseases
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
　
• Valvular heart disease (e.g., mitral valve prolapse, aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation)
　
• Congenital heart defects
　
• Atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias
　
• Heart failure
　
• Cardiac tumours
　
　
2. Pulmonary Diseases
　
• Lung cancer
　
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
　
• Emphysema
　
• Bronchiectasis
　
• Pleural diseases (e.g., pleural effusion, pneumothorax)
　
3. Oesophageal and Digestive Diseases
　
• Oesophageal cancer
　
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
　
• Hiatal hernia
　　
• Oesophageal motility disorders (e.g., achalasia)
　
4. Thoracic and Mediastinal Diseases
　
• Mediastinal tumors
• Tracheal and bronchial disorders
• Chest wall deformities (e.g., pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum)
• Diaphragmatic hernia
• Thymus gland disorders (e.g., thymoma)

1. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)

This surgical procedure involves creating new pathways for blood flow to the heart. It is performed by bypassing blocked or narrowed coronary arteries, thereby increasing blood flow to the heart and effectively treating coronary heart diseases.

2. Heart valve surgery
　

This procedure focuses on repairing or replacing damaged heart valves. It can be performed through traditional open-heart surgery involving an incision in the chest or by utilizing minimally invasive methods. Minimally invasive approaches may involve smaller incisions in the chest using a catheter inserted in the leg or chest, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

3. Maze procedure
　

This surgical treatment is performed to correct atrial fibrillation, a type of cardiac arrhythmia. It involves creating a pattern (maze) of scar tissue on the myocardium using techniques like radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation(freezing), or surgical incisions. This scar tissue redirects the electrical signals in the heart, thereby restoring normal heart rhythm.

4. Pulmonary Resection
　

This procedure, also known as lung resection, is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a portion or the entire diseased lung. It is performed to treat various conditions, including lung cancer, lung infections, and other lung diseases. The procedure can be done using minimally invasive techniques or open surgery (thoracotomy).

5. Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS)
　

Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat conditions such as excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) or severe facial flushing. The surgeon creates two small incisions in the patient’s armpit and utilizes radiofrequency ablation to cauterize the sympathetic nerve ganglia on either side of the thoracic spine. This procedure effectively blocks the neural pathways responsible for excessive sweating.

6. Thymectomy
　

Thymectomy is the surgical removal of the thymus gland, usually performed to treat conditions such as thymoma or myasthenia gravis. This procedure can be done using minimally invasive techniques, including video-assisted thoracoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery.

7. Tracheal Reconstructio
　

Tracheal Reconstruction is a surgical procedure performed to repair or reconstruct the trachea (windpipe) when it has been damaged or narrowed due to trauma, tumours, or other conditions. The objective of this procedure is to restore a safe and stable airway without the need for assistance from a breathing tube.

8. Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)
　

Video-assisted thoracic Surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique that utilizes small incisions and a camera to perform various thoracic procedures, such as lung biopsy, pleural biopsy, and removal of mediastinal masses.

9. Heart Transplantation
　
10. Lung Transplantation
　

Virtus Cardiology specialists

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