Thoracic surgery: All you need to know

by Adel

The thoracic surgery clinic in Turkey specializes in the surgical treatment of conditions affecting the chest cavity and its contents. Our experienced surgeons perform intricate procedures on the chest wall, including the ribs and sternum, as well as the mediastinum, the central compartment of the chest housing vital organs like the heart and major blood vessels. We also treat diseases of the diaphragm, the muscular partition separating the chest and abdomen. Our comprehensive range of services extends to the lungs and esophagus, addressing a variety of complex thoracic conditions.

Lung Diseases Requiring Surgery

Certain lung conditions can progress to a stage where surgical intervention becomes necessary. Key examples include:

  • Lung Cancer:In advanced stages, surgery may be required to remove the tumor, often through lobectomy or pneumonectomy. Additionally, complications like airway obstruction or metastatic spread may necessitate surgical procedures.
  • Empyema:This serious pleural infection, frequently linked to untreated pneumonia, leads to pus accumulation. Surgical treatment in Turkey typically involves pleural drainage or decortication to remove thickened membrane and facilitate lung expansion.
  • Bronchiectasis:Characterized by permanent bronchial enlargement, this condition often stems from chronic infections. When medical treatments prove insufficient, targeted lung resection may be necessary to enhance quality of life and reduce infection risk.

When Surgery Becomes Necessary for lung diseases

Some lung diseases can advance to a point where surgical intervention becomes essential. Here’s a look at the primary conditions that may necessitate surgical management:

  • Lung Cancer:In its advanced stages, lung cancer may demand surgical removal of the tumor. This can involve lobectomy (removal of a lung lobe) or pneumonectomy (removal of an entire lung). Furthermore, complications such as airway obstruction or the spread of cancer to other parts of the lung may necessitate surgical procedures.
  • Empyema:This severe infection of the pleural cavity, often arising from untreated pneumonia, results in the accumulation of pus between the lung membranes. Surgical treatment typically involves draining the pus from the pleural space. In more severe cases, a procedure known as decortication may be necessary to remove thickened scar tissue that can hinder lung expansion.
  • Bronchiectasis:Characterized by permanent enlargement of the bronchial tubes, bronchiectasis is frequently caused by chronic lung infections. When medical treatments fail to adequately manage the condition, targeted lung resection may be considered. This surgical procedure involves removing the affected portions of the lung to improve quality of life and reduce the risk of recurrent infections.
  • Hemothorax, chylothorax, and pneumothorax are three conditions characterized by abnormal fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity.

Pleural Effusions

Three primary types of pleural effusions involve abnormal fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity:

  • Hemothorax:Characterized by blood accumulation, often resulting from trauma or underlying medical conditions. Treatment may require surgical intervention, such as drainage or repair of vascular injuries.
  • Chylothorax:Involves the presence of lymphatic fluid (chyle) in the pleural space, typically caused by a ruptured thoracic duct. Surgical management may be necessary to ligate the duct or address the underlying etiology.
  • Pneumothorax:Occurs when air enters the pleural cavity, leading to partial lung collapse. Treatment options include chest tube drainage, pleurodesis, or surgical repair of the underlying cause, such as a bleb or bulla.

Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst

Hydatid cysts in the lungs are parasitic infections caused by the Echinococcus parasite. Surgical removal is the primary treatment to prevent complications like anaphylactic shock and secondary bacterial infection.

Sequelae of tuberculosis

Pulmonary tuberculosis, although effectively treated with antibiotics, can leave permanent sequelae such as lung cavities or fibrotic lesions. When these sequelae lead to recurrent infections or compromise lung function, surgery to resect the damaged areas may be necessary to improve the patient’s respiratory health.

Other thoracic conditions requiring surgery

Certain conditions of the thoracic cavity may require surgical management, and modern techniques make it possible to perform these procedures in a minimally invasive manner. These procedures, performed through small incisions in the skin, use specialized cameras and surgical instruments to access the area concerned. The aim of these techniques is to reduce post-operative recovery time and improve post-operative comfort (reduced pain, breathing difficulties, etc.).

There are two main types of minimally invasive surgery for thoracic pathologies:

  • Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS): This approach involves inserting a camera and surgical instruments through small incisions to perform the operation under direct visual guidance. It allows greater precision while minimizing trauma to the patient.
  • Robotic Assisted Thoracic Surgery (Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System, RATS): This advanced technique uses a robotic system that offers enhanced precision and 3D visualization of the operated area. The robot enables the surgeon to make finer, more controlled movements, with a minimum of incisions.
  • These minimally invasive techniques not only improve post-operative results, but also reduce the risk of complications and promote faster, less painful recovery.

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