The patient's smoking history will be questioned. If the patient is an active smoker, encouragement is always given for the patient to quit smoking prior to the surgery to facilitate recovery and reduce chances of complications.

Diagnostic tests used to evaluate the patient preoperatively may include, but are not limited to, x rays, MRI, CT scans, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function tests, electrocardiography, endoscopy, pulmonary angiography, and sputum culture.

Patients are instructed not to eat 10 to 12 hours prior to a thoracic surgery procedure

Thoracic Surgery Procedures

Thoracic Surgical and diagnostic procedures include:

• VATS Lobectomy
• Thoracoscopic lung resection
• Thoracoscopic evaluation and management of pleural space
• Thoracoscopic mediastinal biopsy
• Thoracoscopic resection of mediastinal masses
• Thoracoscopic Staging

The surgeon may use two common incisional approaches: sternotomy (incision through and down the breastbone) or via the side of the chest (thoracotomy). An operative procedure known as video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is minimally invasive. During VATS, a lung is collapsed and the thoracoscope and surgical instruments are inserted into the thorax through any of three to four small incisions in the chest wall. Another approach involves the use of a mediastinoscope or bronchoscope to visualize the internal anatomical structures during thoracic surgery or diagnostic procedures.

Types of Thoracic Surgery

The most basic and generalized type, general thoracic surgery involves the treatment of lung diseases, tumors, cancers, and transplants as well as esophageal problems and gastroesophageal reflux.

• Mesothelioma
• Lung Transplantation
• Chest Trauma
• Esophageal Cancer
• Soft Tissue Sarcoma
• Emphysema
• Lung Cancer