Prof. (Dr.) Arvind Kumar

A thoracic surgeon is responsible for all therapeutic or diagnostic procedures or surgeries that are performed on the organs of the thoracic (chest) cavity. These organs include:

• Lungs 
• Pleura (lung membranes)
• Trachea or windpipe
• The mediastinum, which is the space that separates both the lungs and is the position of the heart. 
• Esophagus or food pipe
• Chest wall
• Diaphragm or the dome-shaped muscle that is responsible for respiration in the human body.

 Thoracic surgeons are responsible for the treatment of various medical conditions, such as:

• Lungs (Cancers & Carcinoid Tumors / Bronchiectasis / Aspergilloma / Hydatid Cysts / Nodules / Bullae & Blebs or Pneumothorax / Injuries).
• Pleura (Effusion / Empyema / Clotted Hemothorax / Chylothorax/ Mesothelioma).
• Trachea & Bronchus (Injury / Stenosis / Carcinoid and other tumors).
• Esophagus (Acid or Alkali Strictures / Cancer / Leiomyoma / Tracheo Esophageal Fistula in the neck or chest).
• Chest Wall (Injury or rib fracture / Tumors).
• Mediastinum (Thymus Diseases including Myasthenia Gravis, Thymoma / Posterior Mediastinal Tumor / Dermoid and other Cysts).
• Diaphragm (Hernia / Eventration).
• Hyperhydrosis (Surgery for Sweaty Palms) and Trauma (all cases of minor or major chest trauma from rib fractures to major injuries).

 Most people are referred to a thoracic surgeon when their general physician or general surgeon finds a disease that has to be treated with thoracic surgery. This could involve any of the conditions mentioned above and more. For such diseases, prompt and timely thoracic surgery is the best way to prevent any severe complications.

 They are also consulted if the patient has had a chest injury. Symptoms like chest pain, especially one moving to the left arm and shoulder, shortness of breath, cough that doesn’t go away, hemoptysis, pain in the chest,  palpitations, dizziness, or fainting,  are also consulted with a thoracic surgeon. 

When you are referred to a thoracic surgeon, he will begin by taking your detailed medical history and reviewing all your medical reports. He will also conduct a physical examination on you, checking your respiratory and heart sounds, among other things. 

You might have to undergo some diagnostic tests like chest X-Ray, CT scans, PET Scans, CT guided Biopsies, Bronchoscopy etc., apart from all these investigations. He will also explain to you your condition in detail. All the risks, benefits, and the complete procedure of the surgery will be explained to you and you can also ask your surgeon about any apprehensions or doubts you might have. 

Dr. Arvind Kumar is an experienced thoracic surgeon in India. He has completed his studies at the most prestigious institution i.e.  All India Medical Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS, New Delhi. He has also done several fellowships from renowned institutes all over the world. He has more than 40 years of experience of performing major and complex thoracic surgery cases via Open, VATS as well as Robotic assistance.

Dr. Arvind Kumar, an experienced thoracic surgeon in India,  is the Chairman, Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco-Surgery, and Lung Transplantation and the co-chairman of the Medanta Robotic Institute at the Medanta hospital, Gurgaon. He has more than 40 years of experience of performing major and complex thoracic surgery cases via Open, VATS as well as Robotic assistance.