Cardiothoracic surgery is a specialised field of surgery that treats conditions affecting the heart, lungs, oesophagus (food pipe), chest wall and other structures within the chest.
The speciality is broadly divided into 2 major areas:
- Cardiac surgery: Surgery involving the heart and related blood vessels.
- Thoracic surgery: Surgery involving the lungs, food pipe, chest wall, diaphragm (acts as the main muscle used for breathing) and other structures of the chest.
Depending on the condition, the cardiothoracic surgeons may use the following surgical approach to ensure the best health outcome:
- Open surgery: Uses a larger surgical incision and may be required for complex procedures.
- Minimally invasive surgery: Uses smaller surgical cuts and most often is less risky than open surgery.
- Robotic-assisted surgery: Uses robotic instruments controlled by the surgeon.
- Video-assisted surgery: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat problems in the chest.
Read this blog to have a better understanding of cardiothoracic surgery.
Quick Overview: Cardiothoracic Surgery
Read the table below to have a quick understanding of cardiothoracic surgery.
| Aspect | What it involves |
| Main areas | Heart, lungs and other chest structures |
| Major specialties | Cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery |
| Common treatments | Bypass surgery, valve surgery, lung resections and more |
| Surgical approaches | Open, minimally invasive and robotic-assisted |
| Recovery | Varies according to the procedure and individual health |
Depending on the disease or condition affecting you, your overall health and other factors, the cardiothoracic surgery team at Asian Heart Institute will recommend the most appropriate surgical option for you.
What Is the Most Common Cardiothoracic Surgery?
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), commonly called heart bypass surgery, is the most common heart surgery for adults.
Main Types of Cardiothoracic Surgery
The following are the main types:
1. Cardiac Surgery
Heart surgery (cardiac surgery) is an umbrella term for operations that treat problems related to the heart or the blood vessels connected to it.
There are many types of heart surgery:
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
Treats coronary artery disease. The surgeon creates a new route for blood to detour around blocked arteries and reach the heart vessels. - Heart valve repair and heart valve replacement
Valve repair or replacement surgery is performed to correct the problems caused by one or more diseased heart valves. - Aorta surgery
Aorta surgery fixes issues with the aorta, the largest artery in the body. Treats certain conditions such as selected aneurysms and dissections. - Congenital heart surgery
Congenital heart defect corrective surgery fixes or treats a heart defect that a child is born with. - Surgery for atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm. Selected individuals may undergo surgical procedures to help manage abnormal heart rhythms. - Heart failure surgery
There isn’t a cure for heart failure; however, heart failure surgery, ranging from minimally invasive and catheter-based procedures to open-heart surgery, can improve your symptoms and help people live the fullest life possible.
2. Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic surgery includes any operation to treat an issue in your chest and upper abdomen.
Procedures may include:
- Lobectomy
Operation to remove a lobe of the lung. - Wedge resection
A nonanatomic removal of a portion of the lung without dissection or ligation of individual vessels or airways. Wedge resection surgery removes a triangle-shaped slice of tissue - Segmentectomy
Removes a piece of the lung that includes a lung cancer tumour and some surrounding tissue. - Pneumonectomy
Surgery to remove your entire right or left lung - Chest wall surgery
Treatment or removal of selected chest wall abnormalities or tumours. - Mediastinal surgery
Treatment of conditions affecting the central area between the lungs. - Thymectomy
Surgical removal of the thymus gland (located in the chest behind the breastbone). - Pleural procedures
Treatment of certain conditions affecting the lining around the lungs
Benefits of Cardiothoracic Surgery
The benefits of cardiothoracic surgery are completely based on the condition being treated and the type of operation performed.
Here are some of the benefits:
- Improve blood flow to the heart
- Repair or replace a diseased heart valve
- Treat certain structural heart abnormalities
- Remove diseased or cancerous lung tissue
- Treat selected chest and pleural conditions
- Improve symptoms caused by certain structural diseases
- Help manage some advanced heart or lung conditions
- Potentially improve quality of life and, in appropriate patients, long-term outcomes
Cardiothoracic Surgery Recovery
The recovery differs for every patient and is influenced by the following factors:
- Type of surgery
- Surgical approach
- Age and general health
- Existing medical conditions
- Complications
- Following the recommended recovery programme
When Is Cardiothoracic Surgery Needed?
When conditions affecting the heart, lungs, or chest structures become so severe that medications, lifestyle changes, and less invasive treatments are no longer effective, then experts can recommend cardiothoracic surgery.
You may need heart surgery if you have:
- Aortic aneurysm
- Arrhythmia
- Congenital heart disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- Structural disease
You may need thoracic surgery if you have:
- Stretched blood vessels (aneurysms)
- Congenital (present at birth) heart issues
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Heart failure
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart or lung transplants
- Swallowing issues (dysphagia)
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Barrett’s oesophagus
- Hiatal hernias
- Heart valve issues
- Lung cancer
- Tumours in your oesophagus or thymus
Your doctor may recommend surgery based on the following factors:
- The type and severity of the disease
- Symptoms and their impact on daily life
- Results of imaging and other diagnostic tests
- Heart or lung function
- Previous treatments
- Overall health and other medical conditions
- The expected benefits and risks of surgery
Conclusion
Cardiothoracic surgery comprises specialised surgical care for complex conditions affecting the heart, lungs and other structures of the chest. From CABG and valve surgery to lung resections and minimally invasive thoracic procedures, cardiothoracic surgeons select the treatment according to the individual’s specific condition.
Always discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with a qualified healthcare professional who can assess your medical history and explain what is right for your long-term health.
Looking for the best heart hospital near me in Mumbai, India, for cardiothoracic surgery?
Connect with the expert team at Asian Heart Institute for specialised heart care and minimally invasive surgical expertise.
Helpdesk: +91 22-66986666
OPD: +91 22-66986536 / 6675
Email: info@ahirc.com
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. For accurate information about cardiothoracic surgery, contact your doctor.
