Cardiothoracic Surgery

Cardiac surgery treats heart disease in adults. Common operations include coronary artery bypass graft surgery, heart valve repair or replacement, surgery for heart rhythm problems, and procedures for heart failure. Patients may be treated for chest pain, breathlessness, blocked arteries, valve disease, heart infection or complications after a heart attack.

General thoracic surgery focuses on the lungs, airways, pleura, chest wall, diaphragm, mediastinum and oesophagus. It includes lung cancer surgery, biopsy, treatment for collapsed lung, infection, fluid around the lung, and chest wall tumours. Many procedures use minimally invasive.

Aortic surgery treats the aorta, the body’s main artery. Surgeons may repair aneurysms, dissections, valve-related aortic disease or inherited aortic conditions. Treatment may involve open surgery, aortic root replacement, arch surgery, stent grafting or hybrid procedures.

Heart valve surgery repairs or replaces valves that are narrowed, leaking or infected. The aortic, mitral, tricuspid or pulmonary valve may be involved. Symptoms can include breathlessness, tiredness, dizziness, swelling or chest discomfort. Options may include open surgery, minimally invasive surgery or combined care with catheter-based procedures.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery, often called CABG or heart bypass surgery, improves blood flow around blocked heart arteries. Surgeons use a healthy blood vessel from the chest, arm or leg to create a new route for blood. It can reduce angina and improve outcomes for selected patients.

Thoracic oncology surgery treats cancers in the chest, including lung cancer, thymus tumours, mesothelioma and chest wall tumours. Surgeons may remove part of a lung, lymph nodes or affected tissue. Care is usually planned with cancer specialists, radiologists, respiratory physicians, and pathologists.

Cardiothoracic surgery is surgery for conditions inside the chest, especially the heart, lungs, aorta and chest wall. It includes heart bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, aorta surgery, and lung cancer surgery.

You may be referred because tests show a heart, lung, or chest condition that might need an operation or specialist surgical advice. The surgeon will review your results, explain options and discuss benefits and risks.

Not always. A cardiothoracic surgeon may recommend surgery, another treatment, monitoring or more tests. Decisions are often made with cardiologists, respiratory doctors, cancer specialists and anaesthetists so that you receive the safest plan.

Common tests include blood tests, ECG, echocardiogram, CT scan, chest X-ray, coronary angiogram, lung function tests, endoscopy or fitness assessment. These help the team understand your condition and plan safe anaesthesia and surgery.

Open surgery uses a larger cut to reach the chest organs. Minimally invasive surgery uses smaller cuts, cameras, or video-assisted thoracoscopic techniques. The best approach depends on your condition, anatomy, safety and the operation needed.

Risk depends on your age, overall health, diagnosis and type of operation. Possible risks include bleeding, infection, stroke, blood clots, heart rhythm problems, breathing problems, kidney problems or further procedures. Your surgeon will explain your personal risk.

Hospital stay varies. Some lung operations may need only a few days, while major heart surgery, aortic surgery or transplant surgery can require longer care, including time in intensive care or high-dependency care before returning to the ward.

Recovery may include pain relief, breathing exercises, walking, wound care, medicines and follow-up appointments. Some patients need cardiac rehabilitation, physiotherapy, nutrition support or help at home. Full recovery can take weeks to months.

Follow your team’s instructions about medicines, fasting, smoking, alcohol, exercise and infection prevention. Bring a current medicine list and ask questions. Stopping smoking, improving fitness and managing diabetes or blood pressure can support safer surgery.

Ask what operation is recommended, why it is needed, what alternatives exist, what risks apply to you, how long recovery may take, whether rehabilitation is needed and who to contact if symptoms change before or after surgery.