Many are interested in what a thoracic department is. In fact, everything is simple here. In this department, operations on the chest are performed. Based on this, it becomes clear what thoracic surgeons do. They treat ailments of the organs that are located in the chest. As you know, things change over time. Previously, these doctors operated on all organs located in the chest, but later, surgery of the heart, esophagus, blood vessels, and mammary gland was disconnected from this vast speci alty.
That's the way it is today. It is not surprising that such a separation occurred, because before all surgical interventions were carried out by an open method, and this is certainly more difficult than endoscopic operations. It was much more difficult for doctors to perform the necessary manipulations. But the department of thoracic surgery received new patients every day. In this situation, a narrower specialization and constant operations on a single organ allowed the doctor to become an expert in his field. At present, when the thoracoscope is actively used in surgery, most open interventions have sunk into oblivion. Now endoscopic operations are performed. Their technique has becomemuch simpler, complications in patients rarely develop, therefore, there are prerequisites for the reverse combination of speci alties.
Lung surgery
The surgical thoracic ward is never empty. There are always many patients. In the leading position in terms of the frequency of thoracic surgery are operations on the lungs. The most common disease processes in which intervention is necessary are tuberculosis (approximately 80-85% of cases), a malignant lung tumor, suppurative ailments (bronchiectasis, abscesses, etc.), as well as cysts.
Solution of problems with the esophagus
Esophageal surgery is a very common type of intervention. Operations are required for cicatricial narrowing, burns, cysts, injuries and benign tumors of this organ. Also, surgical intervention is necessary if a foreign object has entered the respiratory organs. In addition, operations are performed for esophago-tracheal fistulas, cancer of the thoracic region of this organ, achalasia cardia, diverticula, varicose veins.
Mediastinum is a very problematic area
Many, unfortunately, do not yet know what thoracic surgery is. But this is necessary to know. This is surgery of organs located in the chest. Mediastinal ailments that require the help of a thoracic surgeon are neoplasms, chylothorax, bronchial and tracheal stenoses, chronic and acute mediastinitis. These diseases should be taken seriously. It's no secret that surgical interventions onmediastinum are very difficult. Patients also find it difficult to tolerate such operations. After such surgical interventions, they have many complications. Therefore, there are some contraindications for such operations: age over 60-65 years, cardiac decompensation, tuberculosis, neoplasm metastases, hypertension, pulmonary emphysema, etc.
Get rid of chest diseases
As for other pathological processes in this area, the doctor often encounters injuries of a different nature, neoplasms, perichondritis, inflammatory-purulent tissue lesions. Funnel-shaped and keeled chest, osteomyelitis of bones (for example, shoulder blades and ribs) are not too common. Patients with such diseases are admitted to the thoracic department relatively rarely.
Pathology of the pericardium and pleura
Surgical interventions on the pericardium and pleura in medical practice are carried out much more often than on the mediastinum, as well as on the chest wall. When are operations needed? For chronic and acute pleural empyema, trauma, benign neoplasms, diverticula and pericardial cysts.
Diaphragm conditions requiring surgery
Surgical interventions on the diaphragm are practiced infrequently. Ailments that require surgery are tumors, relaxation and injuries of the diaphragm, as well as cysts and hernias of various origins. In the presence of these diseases, immediatelygo to the thoracic department. The sooner the operation is carried out, the better. Many are afraid of surgery and postpone it indefinitely, while the disease progresses. As a result, the person is getting worse, the pain is bothering more and more often, and it would be much better to see a doctor in time. In such a situation, you need to try to overcome your fear and still go to the surgeon. It should be understood that there is simply no other way out of this situation. Do not deceive yourself and put off making a decision on the back burner.
