Thoracic and vascular surgery is a crucial branch of surgery. Let's dive into when it's needed and how it's performed.

Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Team, Narayana Hospital, Barasat

What is Thoracic Surgery?

Thoracic surgery includes all organs and structures within the chest cavity, excluding the heart.

When is Thoracic Surgery Needed?

Thoracic surgery may be required in various situations, including:

Tumors, fractures, or infections in the chest wall or ribs.
Fluid, pus, air, or blood accumulation in the pleural space between the lungs and chest wall.
Lung problems such as tumors, pneumothorax, or bleeding.
Airway issues like bleeding, tracheal injuries, tumors, or narrowing.
Esophageal problems like tumors, bleeding, trauma, or narrowing.
Pericardial issues affecting the heart's outer lining.
Tumors or infections in the anterior and posterior mediastinum.
Sternum problems like tumors, fractures, or infections.
Diaphragmatic issues like thinning or rupture.
Thoracic outlet syndrome or cervical rib problems.

What is Vascular Surgery?

Vascular surgery is a medical specialty that involves surgical procedures on blood vessels, including arteries and veins, anywhere in the body. This includes treatments for conditions affecting the descending aorta, abdominal aorta, blood vessels in the arms and legs, and carotid arteries. Vascular surgery is also used to treat conditions like hemangiomas, which are benign tumors formed by abnormal blood vessels.

How is Thoracic Surgery Performed?

Thoracic surgery is performed using advanced techniques that have significantly reduced the size of incisions. Previously, thoracic surgery required large incisions of up to 25 cm. However, with the advent of Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) and Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS), surgery is now possible through very small incisions.

VATS involves making incisions of 3 to 8 cm and using a camera to guide the procedure, while RATS involves making 3 to 4 small incisions of 8 to 12 mm and using robotic arms to perform the surgery.

Benefits of Video or Robotic Assisted Surgery

The benefits of video or robotic assisted surgery include:

Reduced pain due to minimal rib stress, allowing patients to recover quickly and return to normal life.
Shorter ICU stays and faster return to work or daily activities.

Additional Benefits of Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery offers additional benefits, including:

Robotic surgery provides 3D vision and 360-degree movement of the robotic arms, allowing surgeons to access complex and hard-to-reach areas of the body with great precision and accuracy.

Conclusion

Surgery performed through small incisions is often referred to as minimally invasive surgery. However, the term "access" is more appropriate than "invasive," making it minimally access surgery. Currently, in vascular surgery, particularly for aortic problems, minimally access vascular surgery is gaining importance due to its ability to facilitate quick recovery and return to normal life.