Thoracic surgeons work closely with other specialists such as pulmonologists, cardiologists, oncologists, and radiologists to provide comprehensive care to patients with thoracic conditions.
Conditions which thoracic surgeons undertake:
- Lung cancer
- Oesophageal cancer and reconstruction
- Reconstruction of chest wall following a major surgery or trauma such as an accident.
- Tumours
- Emphysema
- Gastro – oesophageal reflux
- Chest Trauma
- Lung transplantation
- Pleural diseases
- Tracheal resection or stent
What are Common thoracic surgical procedures?
- Lung Resection: This involves removing a portion of the lung affected by conditions such as lung cancer, lung infections, or lung nodules.
- Lobectomy: A lobectomy is the surgical removal of one of the lobes of the lung. It's typically performed to treat lung cancer or severe infections that are limited to one lobe.
- Pneumonectomy: This involves removing an entire lung. It may be necessary in cases of extensive lung cancer or other diseases that affect the entire lung.
- Thoracotomy: A thoracotomy is a surgical incision into the chest wall to access the organs within the thoracic cavity. It's used for various procedures including lung biopsy, tumour removal, or to treat conditions like collapsed lung.
- Esophagectomy: This procedure involves removing a portion of or the entire oesophagus. It's often performed to treat oesophageal cancer or severe cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Thymectomy: Thymectomy is the surgical removal of the thymus gland, often done to treat thymoma or myasthenia gravis.
- Mediastinal Tumour Resection: Tumours located in the mediastinum, the area between the lungs, may require surgical removal.
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): While primarily performed by cardiac surgeons, some thoracic surgeons also specialise in CABG procedures, which involve bypassing blocked or narrowed coronary arteries to restore blood flow to the heart muscle.
What can go wrong with Thoracic surgery?
Thoracic surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries risks and potential complications. While the majority of thoracic surgeries are successful there can be some potential complications of thoracic surgery which include:
- Infection: Surgical site infections can occur after any type of surgery, including thoracic procedures. These infections can range from mild to severe and may require antibiotics or additional treatment.
- Pneumonia: Patients undergoing thoracic surgery are at risk of developing pneumonia, particularly if they have pre-existing lung conditions or if they experience difficulty breathing after surgery.
- Bleeding: Thoracic surgery involves working near major blood vessels, and bleeding can occur during or after the procedure. Excessive bleeding may require blood transfusions or additional surgical intervention to control.
- Blood Clots: Surgery and immobility during the recovery period can increase the risk of developing blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism).
- Pulmonary Complications: Surgery on the lungs or chest cavity can lead to complications such as atelectasis (collapsed lung), pneumothorax (air leak into the chest cavity), or pleural effusion (build-up of fluid around the lungs), which can impair breathing and require intervention.
- Cardiac Complications: Some thoracic surgeries, particularly those involving the heart or major blood vessels, carry a risk of cardiac complications such as arrhythmias, myocardial infarction (heart attack), or heart failure.
- Nerve Damage: Surgery in the thoracic region can potentially damage nerves, leading to symptoms such as numbness, weakness, or pain in the chest, arms, or shoulders.
- Anaesthesia complications: General anaesthesia, which is commonly used during thoracic surgery, carries its own risks, including adverse reactions, respiratory complications, or allergic reactions.
- Persistent Symptoms: In some cases, patients may continue to experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue after surgery, especially if the underlying condition was severe or if complications arise during the recovery process.
How is surgery carried out?
Thoracic surgery can be carried out through different techniques depending on the specific procedure and the patient's condition. Here are some common approaches:
- Open Surgery: This traditional approach involves making a large incision in the chest wall, known as a thoracotomy. Through this incision, the surgeon gains direct access to the thoracic cavity to perform the necessary procedure. Open surgery allows the surgeon to have a clear view and direct access to the organs, making it suitable for complex procedures such as lung resections, lobectomies, or esophagectomies.
- Pneumonectomy: This involves surgically removing the entire cancerous lung on the left side of the chest.
- Tracheostomy: This is a procedure which surgically created an opening in the neck that leads directly to the trachea which is held open through a tracheostomy tube.
- Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): An endoscopic ultrasound is used to obtain images of the chest region and its surrounding tissue and organs.
- Endoscopic Surgery: Endoscopic techniques are used for procedures involving the inside of the oesophagus or trachea. Endoscopes are flexible tubes with a camera and instruments attached, which are inserted through the mouth or nose and guided to the target area. Endoscopic procedures are often used for diagnostic purposes or to treat conditions such as strictures, tumours, or foreign body removal in the oesophagus or trachea.
- Minimally Invasive Surgery: Minimally invasive techniques aim to achieve the same surgical goals as open surgery but with smaller incisions. These techniques offer benefits such as reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times. There are several types of minimally invasive thoracic surgery.
- Thoracoscopy: Also known as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), thoracoscopy involves making small incisions in the chest wall and inserting a thoracoscopy, which is a thin tube with a camera and surgical instruments attached. The surgeon views the inside of the chest cavity on a monitor and performs the procedure using specialised instruments.
- Robot-assisted Surgery: In robot-assisted thoracic surgery, the surgeon controls robotic arms equipped with surgical instruments through a console. The robot provides enhanced precision and dexterity, allowing for delicate manoeuvres in confined spaces within the chest cavity.
The choice of surgical approach depends on factors such as the specific condition being treated, the patient's overall health, and the surgeon's expertise. While open surgery may be necessary for more complex cases, minimally invasive techniques are increasingly being used when appropriate due to their advantages in terms of recovery and outcomes.
Why Pursue a Personal Injury Claim?
- Financial Compensation: Medical negligence can result in substantial medical expenses, ongoing costs, and loss of income. A personal injury claim can help you secure the financial compensation needed to cover these expenses and ensure a stable future.
- Rehabilitation and Support: Recovering often requires extensive rehabilitation and ongoing support. A successful personal injury claim can provide the resources necessary for specialised treatments, therapy, and assistance to enhance your recovery process.
- Holding Responsible Parties Accountable: By pursuing a personal injury claim, you not only seek compensation but also hold those responsible for the negligence accountable. The claim can also help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Compensation from a personal injury claim can enable you to access the best available medical care, support services, and medical technologies.
A compensation can cover:
- Loss of earnings and pension arising due to the negligence
- Costs of treatment, therapies and equipment
- Ongoing care costs
- Lifestyle changes to accommodate any condition
- Physical and psychology conditions arising from negligence
Compensation Routes
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