Checking in with Dr. Diego Gonzalez – Rivas and his team in Coruna, Spain – the innovators in single incision thoracic surgery, as Dr. Gonzalez publishes a new report on single incision pneumonectomy.
K Eckland
World of Thoracic Surgery is a blog about the work, research, and practices of thoracic surgeons around the world. It includes case studies, [sometimes] dry research, interviews with thoracic surgeons along with patient perspectives, and feedback.
Talking with Dr. Raimundo Santolaya, MD, thoracic and transplant surgeon at the Instituto Nacional del Torax
an interview with thoracic and tranplant surgeon, Dr. Raimundo Santolaya Cohen of Santiago, Chile
Talking with Dr. Luis Marcelo Argote Green, National Institute of Medical Science
Talking to the interesting and entertaining Dr. Marcelo Argote Green, of Mexico City at the LXXI Congreso for Sociedad Mexicana de Neumologia y Cirugia de Torax
Congreso Nacional: Wednesday Highlights
continued coverage of the2012 (Mexican) National Conference in Cancun, Mexico with discussions by Dr. Rafael Andrade, Dr. Raimundo Santolaya and Dr. Enrique Guzman de Alba.
Conference Spotlight lecture: Dr. Gulliermo Cueto Robledo
Dr. Cueto as our featured speaker today at the National Conference of the Mexican Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery talking about pulmonary embolism.
Conference coverage: Congreso Nacional de Neumologia y Cirugia de Torax
Cancun, Quintana Roo – Mexico I’m here at the National conference for pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons this year to hopefully interview (and possible recruit some surgeons to the research project). It’s already […]
Research update: Recruiting interested surgeons
Cirugia de Torax extends an invitation to all thoracic surgeons interested in participating in clinical research.
Sandy Ogawa, ACNP and anti-reflux surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital
Talking with Sandra Ogawa, ACNP about ‘What to do when the purple pill fails?”
The Clamshell Incision
Talking about the clamshell incision in thoracic, cardiac and vascular surgery. Also, soliciting surgical photographs.
Dr. Ross Bremner, and the state of thoracic surgery in Arizona
Talking with Dr. Ross Bremner, Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Chair of Thoracic Disease & Transplant at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.
Mediastinitis: a potentially lethal infection
Exploring the causes of mediastinitis in non-cardiac surgery patients with review of recent cases in the literature.
Thoracic Surgery Training
Reviewing the literature regarding training in thoracic surgery
Blebs, Bullae and Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Overview of spontaneus pneumothorax and treatment modalities.
Sociedad Mexicana de Neumologia y Cirugia de Torax
Cirugia de Torax.org heads south of the border for the upcoming Sociedad Mexicana de Neumologia y Cirugia de Torax congreso (conference) this April. It’s also a chance for surgeons to find out more about the high altitude project.
Case report: Blebectomy with talc pleurodesis after spontaneous pneumothorax
Case report of spontaneous pneumothorax followed by bleb resection and talc pleurodesis.
Early detection of esophageal cancer
A review of recently published articles on the risk factors and early detection of esophageal cancer.
Talking with Dr. Daniela Molena
at John Hopkins, talking with Dr. Daniela Molena about minimally invasive thoracic surgery.
Project update: electronic data submission
Using today’s handheld technology to conduct the research of tomorrow – a new application of smartphone mobile applications to connect study sites around the world.
Endo GIA staple recall
Covidien announces a product recall of surgical staples cartridges and cautions against use in thoracic surgery patients.
Rising debts and decreased employment opportunities: the American landscape of thoracic surgery
$200,000 & counting: the escalating educational debt of thoracic surgery residents in the United States. Presenting the results of the 2010 Workforce Survey Report (Sarkaria et. al). Despite impending surgeon shortages of catastrophic proportions today’s new surgeons are unable to find full-time employment.
Data Collection and Altitude
Developing electronic applications to ease the task of data collection for clinical research.
In the operating room with Dr. Carlos Ochoa
After my first encounter with the young, energetic thoracic surgeon in Mexicali in November of 2011, I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to return to Mexico to learn more about Dr. Ochoa […]
Surgery at altitude, part I
Calling all thoracic surgeons – particularly those in La Paz, Quito, Bogota and Mexico City.. We have an opportunity for collaborative research.
Talking with William Serpa about the da Vinci robot
a sit down interview with William Serpa of Intuitive Surgical to discuss RATS (robot-assisted thoracic surgery) with the da Vinci robot.
Dr. Pierre – Emmanuel Falcoz and the Thoracoscore
Dr. Pierre Emmanuel Falcoz, thoracic surgeon from Strasbourg, France and the thoracoscore for predicting in-patient mortality.
Using social media & technology to promote specialty practice
Cirugia de Torax and the role of social media in the promotion of specialty practice.
St. George’s Hospital, NHS and the state of thoracic surgery
A visit to St. George’s Hospital in South London to talk about the state of thoracic surgery in Great Britain.
CT scans for the early detection of lung cancer: new recommendations
Article re-post on the newest recommendations for screening guidelines for early detection of lung cancer. Second in a series on lung cancer related topics as part of Lung Cancer Month.
The Pearl Ribbon
the social stigma of lung cancer and the ‘pearl’ ribbon campaign
Jupiter Medical Center: Q & A with Dr. K. Adam Lee
More robotic surgery as we talk with Dr. K. Adam Lee, the new director of thoracic surgery at Jupiter Medical Center in Jupiter, Florida.
Talking with Dr. Carlos Cesar Ochoa Gaxiola
Cirugia de Torax in Mexicali, Baja California to interview Dr. Carlos Cesar Ochoa Gaxiola.
Talking with Dr. Orazio Amabile
a brief interview with Dr. Orazio Amabile, cardiothoracic surgeon from Phoenix Cardiac Surgery as we cross paths in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The Happiness of Surgeons
Today’s surgery is a far cry from the surgical practice of our fathers and grandfathers, and it shows. Surgeons today report high levels of burnout, job dissatisfaction and depression in a survey of American surgeons reported in a new article by Balch et. al.
Esophagectomy: Modern surgical approaches
A brief discussion of the variety of surgical approaches used for esophagectomy for esophageal cancer including Ivor Lewis, Transhiatal and minimally invasive techniques.
Lung resection in high risk patients
a look at the results of Dr. Wolf’s recent study of high risk patients undergoing lung resections.
Not enough surgeons = not enough surgery for lung cancer patients in the UK
a new article in The Guardian – discusses the impact of the shortage of thoracic surgeons in the United Kingdom – and estimates that 1500 people die annually because of the lack of available surgeons.
Pneumonectomy: for Tuberculosis
a discussion of Tuberculosis as a surgical disease, with a look at the historical perspectives.
Thoracic surgery and Robots!
a selection of full text references talking about robotics and thoracic surgery.
Robotics and Thoracic surgery : Dr. Weksler
a brief snapshot of a Dr. Benny Weksler, a thoracic surgeon using robotic technology at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania. Also, UPMC as a high volume esophagectomy center.
More about robotic surgery – article re-post
Answers to some of your questions about the basics of Robotic surgery in this re-post of a 2005 article by Dr. Morris.
Robotic Surgery training centers
Where do thoracic surgeons go to learn robotic surgery techniques?
Thoracic Surgeons and smoking cessation
The use of social media by health care professionals to connect with our patients has increased at a phenomenal rate in this age of enhanced technology, social networking and smartphones.
Thoracic surgery and the STS database
a discussion of the Thoracic Surgery database, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the upcoming STS conference in Atlanta, Georgia. A call for participants in the Thoracic Surgery database.
VATS decortication: Empyema
an in-depth look at video-assisted thoracoscopy for decortication of advanced empyema.
Surgery for pleural infection: Empyema
second in a series of articles questioning whether thoracic surgery remains a relevant treatment for pleural diseases – as discussed in an article by Davies et. al.
Pulmonology throws down the gauntlet..
Evaluation and discussion of a new article by Davies et. al. (2011) which calls many of the current practices in thoracic surgery into question. Is this a legitimate assessment of evolving treatment strategies or another attempt for pulmonology to encroach on the thoracic surgery specialty? In this multi-part series, we will address the major points debated in this article.
Dual port thoracoscopy for diaphragmatic plication with Dr. Edgard Gutierrez Puente
Talking with the energetic and innovative Colombian surgeon, Dr. Edgard Gutierrez Puentes.
Article Re-post: Pre-operative evaluation for lung resection
by special request – a re-post of an article by Dr. Mazzonone, “Pre-operative evaluation of the lung Cancer Resection Candidate.”
Fundoplication after Lung Transplant
a new article published in the annals of thoracic surgery on using fundoplication to prevent allograft (transplant) rejection in lung patients.
Minimally invasive fundoplication for GERD: the transoral esophagogastric approach
the transoral esophagastric fundoplication procedure and Dr. Darren Rohan, a thoracic surgeon performing this minimally invasive technique.
Lung Resection in the Elderly – the Harvard/ Keating experience
a new article published in Cancer, and summarized at Medscape talks about the importance of Lung Resection for long-term survival in Lung Cancer.
High Altitude Surgery, part I
As our writer returns to moderate altitude in the foothills of the Andes, we take a look at the published research related to altitude illnesses and surgery.
Talking with Dr. Juan Carlos Garzon
Interview with Dr. Juan Carlos Garzon Ramirez in Bogota, Colombia
Who is performing your thoracic surgery, part II
Promoting the thoracic surgery specialty during an interview with Ilene Little, founder and writer for Traveling4Health.com
New Regional Thoracic Surgery Center: Ontario, Canada
Creation of a new ‘regional thoracic surgery center’ in Hamilton, Ontario highlights some of the issues we’ve talked about here before: high volume centers, optimizing outcomes, decreasing wait times, and quality/ consistency of care.
The University of Mississippi: Pioneers in Transplant
Reviewing the history of the first lung transplant and other medical firsts while here in Jackson, Mississippi.
Dental hygeine and post-operative pneumonia in esophageal cancer patients
In an investigational study, Akutsu et. al. (2010) demonstrated a significant reduction in post-operative pneumonia through the implementation of a dental hygiene program.
SITS lobectomy with Dr. Diego Gonzalez
Discussion of a case report by Gonzalez, Paradela, Garcia & Dela Torre (2011) of a lobectomy by single incision thoracoscopic surgery.
Mailbag: Cancer Treatment Centers of America & Lung Cancer
Cirugia de Torax answers one of the most frequently received email inquiries regarding lung cancer treatment and the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
In the operating room with Dr. R. Duane Davis
Single lung transplant with Dr. R. Duane Davis, famous cardiothoracic surgeon, and chief of the Lung Tranplant program at Duke. Part of a series.
Single Incision Thoracoscopic Surgery (SITS) for spontaneous pneumothorax
Chen et. al discuss their experience with single incision thoracoscopic surgery (SITS) in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax in this Taiwanese study.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) for malignant pleural mesothelioma revisited: the Australian experience
A discussion of and link to the Yan et. al (2011) article, “Improving survival rates after surgical management of pleural malignant mesothelioma: an australian institutional experience” as part of a series of posts on mesothelioma and extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP).
HITHOC in Regensburg, Germany at the University Medical Center
Information about the Thoracic Surgery program at the University Medical Center in Regensburg, Germany – and their research into HITHOC.
Transplant surgery at Duke: a painful chapter
a dark moment in the history of Duke’s Lung Transplant Program, and the lessons learned.
HITHOC research and programs
New project here on Cirugia de Torax.org: to compile a list of thoracic surgeons and thoracic surgery programs that are investigating and performing HITHOC procedures, but we need your help. Includes clinical trial information.
Intrathoracic Hyperthermic Chemotherapy (Hithoc) in advanced non-small lung cancer: the Nara Experience
As part of a continuing discussion of HITHOC (Hyperthermic IntraThoracic intraOperative Chemotherapy), today we are talking about the results of a small study conducted at the Nara Medical University, School of Medicine in Nara, Japan.
Latest research findings: Mesothelioma
new research results from the University of Pennsylvania on the treatment of pleural mesothelioma.
Pre-operative Incentive Spirometry for Pneumonia Prevention
Another study confirming the importance of pre-operative respiratory exercises for surgical patients – this one looking at cardiac surgery patients and the incidence of post-operative pneumonia.
Pulmonary Metastasectomy: Cherry Pickin’
A brief description of pulmonary metastasectomy (lung resection for metastatic disease) with a limited review of recent literature.
Talking about Transplant with Dr. R. Duane Davis
Interview with Dr. R. Duane Davis, the Chief of Lung Transplant at Duke University
at 14,000 feet
the writer is out of her element, and reflective during a recent trip for organ procurement with Dr. “Shaker” Reddy during her week on lung transplant at Duke.
Dr. Thomas D’Amico: Duke Thoracic Surgery
A brief interview with Dr. Thomas D’Amico, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Duke University Medical Center.
Cytoreductive Surgery with Intraoperative Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy
An introduction to cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy administrative for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy: EPP
Extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant mesothelioma
Esophageal surgery and esophageal surgery centers
Discussion of article by Bilimoria and the importance of high volume esophageal surgery programs for successful post-operative outcomes.
Only TIME will tell: Esophagectomy
There is a new trial on the horizon that sounds promising; the Traditional Invasive versus Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (TIME). It’s a timely study indeed as the rates of esophageal cancer in western countries continues to increase, due to GERD and obesity.
Lung Transplant at Duke: part one of a series
a series of articles based on a week with the surgeons of the Lung Transplant service at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina including interviews and highlights from my trip for organ procurement.
The Benefits of Exercise in Thoracic Patients
A look at the literature, including a recent systemic review: exercise is not only safe for lung cancer patients – but improves quality of life, and may (according to Jones) improve post-operative outcomes..
Dr. Dov Weissberg: Treatment of Lung Abscess
Thoracic Surgery (Cirugia de Torax. org) welcomes Dr. Dov Weissberg, noted thoracic surgeon and memoirist as our first guest commentary. Here, Dr. Weissberg comments on one of his previously published articles from 2010 on the history of lung abscess.
Talking to Dr. Shu Lin, MD, PhD of Duke University
In and out of the operating room with Dr. Shu S. Lin, MD, PhD, cardiothoracic surgeon and member of the Duke lung transplant program.
Lung cancer patients die awaiting surgery
the health care crisis hits home: prolonged waiting times for patients with lung cancer results in the deaths of several patients in Canada – and this scenario is projected to be repeated in the USA and Europe due to surgeon shortages and limited access to health care.
The Thoracic Surgeons of Bogota
After living and working in Bogota, Colombia for the last five months as part of a separate project, I have decided that the story of the thoracic surgeons of Bogota needs to […]
History of Thoracic Surgery
a selection of citations and links to articles detailing the rich, and sometimes colorful history of thoracic surgery
Here’s your helmet
If you knew now that you were going to be in a horrible but completely unavoidable car accident in a few weeks -you’d do things differently, wouldn’t you? You’d make sure to be in a car with the maximum amount of safety features (we’d all be in Volvos) with 6 air bags, automatic assisted braking, five point seatbelts and helmets. You’d do all of this, to ensure your survival. You wouldn’t just hop into a pinto and drive off to work..
Who is performing your thoracic surgery?
The majority of general thoracic surgical operations in the United States are performed by surgeons not specializing in thoracic surgery. [despite the fact that] Both general thoracic surgeons and cardiac surgeons achieve better outcomes than general surgeons.” Schipper et. al (2009).
SITS: That’s Single Incision Thoracoscopic Surgery
the development and application of single-port thoracoscopic surgery, (or the lack there of.)
Robotic Thoracic Surgery
today, we are looking at the research and case reports related to the use of the Divinci robot for robot-assisted thoracic surgery..
The Future of Thoracic Surgery
What is the future of thoracic surgery? Who are our brightest and best young surgeons? Who are the upcoming surgeons of tomorrow?
What is Fast Track Thoracic Surgery?
walk as if your life depended on it..
Pre & Post-operative Surgical Optimization for Lung Surgery
How to maximize your chances before lung surgery to speed healing, post-operative recovery and reduce the incidence of complications.
Preventing Atrial Fibrillation after Lung Surgery
and the snowball effect of atrial fibrillation after surgery. Discussion includes beta blockers and vitamin C as methods to reduce the incidence of post-operative atrial fibrillation with discussion of the literature supporting its use.
Outpatient Treatment for Malignant Effusions
Discussion of treatment goals, and patient centered care for Malignant pleural effusions. This is the first in a series of articles on lung cancer, and lung surgery topics. Originally posted at our sister site.
