Thoracic surgeons, also known as cardiothoracic or cardiovascular thoracic surgeons, are licensed medical professionals who operate on the thorax, a part of the human body. The thorax is the area between the neck and the abdomen, and its name comes from the Greek word thorax, which means “breastplate.” A thoracic surgeon deals with the organs of the chest, particularly the heart and lungs. This type of surgeon focuses solely on that one area of the body, rather than the many other areas where a general surgeon would go.
Thoracic surgeons are primarily responsible for performing cardiac surgery in order to ensure that the heart receives adequate blood supply. They ensure that the heart’s valves are functioning properly and that diseases are managed, which means they may perform heart transplants. A pacemaker, an electrical device that keeps the heart beating on a regular schedule, can be implanted a thoracic surgeon. Patients who receive these services are treated, diagnosed, and followed up on.
This surgeon may also focus on the lungs and esophagus, treating conditions such as lung cancer, emphysema, and damage caused gastroesophageal reflux. A cardiovascular thoracic surgeon can also perform lung transplants and remove tumors from the chest wall. These surgeons may work in the fields of research or education in addition to performing surgery.
Children with congenital heart defects may be treated thoracic surgeons with special training. Children’s surgeons are required to have specialized training in pediatric care. While explaining a medical problem to adults is a little easier, a thoracic surgeon working with children must be able to explain the problem in a way that a child can understand, as well as calm their fears while explaining what’s going on to their parents.
Those who want to be thoracic surgeons, like those who want to be doctors in general, need a lot of education. This type of surgeon, in particular, is regarded as one of the most well-educated physicians. He or she must complete four years of undergraduate studies, postgraduate medical school, five years of surgical residency training, and then two to three years of thoracic surgery residency training.