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Cardiothoracic surgery
This page introduces the medical specialty of cardiothoracic surgery.
Cardiothoracic surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery is a surgical specialty, which deals with the diagnosis and management of surgical conditions of the heart, lungs and oesophagus. A small aspect of the specialty is the transplantation of both heart and lungs which is performed in only eight specialised centres in the United Kingdom.Cardiothoracic surgery is a testing, technical specialty which combines a need for understanding of cardiovascular and respiratory anatomy and physiology, cardiac and thoracic pathology and a need to be technically able. The most common operation performed is coronary artery bypass grafting in cardiac surgery (75%) and the other work in cardiac surgery is largely valve operations. The most common thoracic operation is lobectomy or pneumonectomy for carcinoma of the lung. The specialty includes a need to be competent and able on the intensive care unit for the post operative care of these patients. There are many research opportunities in this specialty and it is expected that trainees will participate in research projects.
Consultant cardiothoracic surgeons operate usually about three days per week, have one out patient clinic and are generally on call one in three or square in four. In addition there may be a commitment to cardiothoracic transplantation and the care of cardiothoracic trauma. Consultants generally tend to develop expertise in particular areas of the specialty. Consultants tend to divide into three groups, cardiac surgeons, thoracic surgeons and combined cardiothoracic surgeons.
