Common Diseases Treated by Thoracic Surgeons

Thoracic surgery involves a series of procedures, such as removing the diseased or infected lung tissue, surgical management of benign lung tumours and interventions for re-expansion of consolidated-collapsed lungs due to conditions such as post-tubercular sequelae, bronchiectasis, atelectasis, aspergilloma etc. In thoracic surgery, these surgical interventions are performed within the chest only to address abnormal conditions associated with chest wall, diaphragm, lungs, bronchi, trachea/esophagus and thymus. Today, thoracic surgeons perform these procedures using technologically advanced minimally invasive (VATS/Robotic) or traditional open surgical techniques.  The types of surgeries are :

Open or minimally invasive techniques

The open surgery involves larger incisions through skin to directly access and operate on internal organs to treat complex, severe and life threatening conditions that cannot be managed with minimally invasive surgical methods.

Minimally Invasive Techniques (VATS/Robot-assisted surgery)

Minimally invasive surgery involves smaller incisions performed using high-definition video-camera and specialised instruments. Robotic-assisted surgery is a further advancement in minimally invasive care. It utilises robotic platforms that provide three dimensional visualization of internal tissues, superior dexterity, and greater precision, enabling surgeons to perform complex procedures with improved control, accuracy and safety of the patient. The expert surgeons – Dr. Arvind Kumar and team uses both VATS and robotic-assisted surgery , as a standard and effective minimally invasive procedure for optimal care of their global patients.

Choosing the best thoracic surgeon ensures long-term health,mental peace and trust of the patient and his/her family in the healthcare system. You can consult the best thoracic surgeon in India, Dr Arvind Kumar, who is a founder of “Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco-Surgery and Lung Transplantation” at Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram, India.

Conditions treated by thoracic surgeons

Dr Arvind Kumar particularly emphasizes on minimally invasive surgical techniques as they offer several benefits to their patients like

•  It reduces pain
• It improves postoperative recovery.
• It reduces risks and complications.It reduces hospital stay.
• It has a faster recovery and a faster, more regular return to work.
• It reduces the inflammatory response.
• It reduces scarring, making the surgery cosmetically acceptable to the patient and to his/her family

 Types of thoracic diseases

Thoracic surgeons treat many conditions involving heart valve disorders, lung cancer, benign lung disease and tumours in the thymus, lungs or trachea/esophagus. They also play vital roles in addressing many swallowing issues, also termed as dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hiatal hernias. The primary aim of thoracic surgeons is to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and save lives by effectively managing complex thoracic conditions affecting the vital chest and upper abdominal cavities. However, advancements in thoracic surgery procedures like VATS and robotic surgery have generally proven to shorten the recovery time. Some common diseases treated by thoracic surgeons are :

• Lung cancer

Lung Cancer Treatment in India often needs a multidisciplinary approach, and the treatment involves surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Thoracic surgeons use VATS and robotic techniques to reduce sprint recovery times and improve outcomes. Types of lung cancer surgeries are wedge resection, segmentectomy, lobectomy, bilobectomy, pneumonectomy, sleeve resection, lung transplantation etc.

• Tracheo-Esophageal abnormalities

Tracheoesophageal abnormalities include-tracheo-esophageal cancer, perforation, fistula formation, stenosis etc affecting the food pipe as well infecting the respiratory system due to perforation or fistula formation.  The cause may remain unknown, however the minimally invasive techniques are very efficient in managing such abnormalities and are therefore used by top surgeons.

• Stretched blood vessels or aneurysms

It is a weakened or bulging area in the upper region of the aorta, and when it ruptures, it can cause life-threatening bleeding.

• Noncancerous lung tumours

Benign lung tumours require appropriate monitoring by an expert thoracic surgeon; some may need medication or surgery. CATS and robotic-assisted surgery help provide the best treatment and a quick recovery.

• Cancerous and noncancerous chest wall tumours

Chest wall tumours, whether benign or malignant, need timely treatment. The treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. Minimally invasive techniques, including robot-assisted surgery and VATS, have emerged as beneficial alternatives.

• Hyperhidrosis

There are many treatment options for hyperhidrosis, and the surgical option, performed by a thoracic surgeon, is Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, which is used to treat excessive sweating. It is mainly performed to treat excessive sweating on the face or palms.

• Heart issues, including Heart failure, Coronary heart disease and Irregular heart rhythms

Thoracic surgeons perform a range of procedures to treat conditions and diseases of the chest cavity. Along with lung and esophagus surgeries, they also perform heart surgery, including CABG and heart valve repair or replacement, to treat coronary artery disease.

• Heart or lung transplant

The expert thoracic surgeon performs lung, heart and combined heart-lung transplants to replace the failing organs with healthy donor ones. The surgeon is also an expert in single-lung, double-lung, and heart-lung transplants.

• Thoracic outlet syndrome

It is a severe condition that occurs when pressure is applied to the blood vessels or nerves in the space between the collarbone and the first rib. The thoracic surgeon will perform the thoracic outlet decompression surgery to relieve the nerve or vessel compression.

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Also known as COPD, the thoracic surgeon will treat the condition by performing procedures, including lung volume-reduction surgery, to remove damaged tissue and improve function.

• Emphysema

A thoracic surgeon treats the condition by removing damaged lung tissue and inserting one-way valves. In extreme cases, the surgeon may perform a lung transplant to improve breathing by creating space for healthier lung tissue and optimising function.

• Swallowing issues

The surgeon will treat the swallowing issues in the chest area that are due to blockages like strictures, tumours or motility disorders by performing esophagectomy, myotomy, diverticulectomy, using minimally invasive techniques.

•  Gastroesophageal reflux disease

A thoracic surgeon treats GERD specifically with a hiatal hernia with fundoplication or TIF. Surgery will be the option if the condition cannot be managed with lifestyle changes and medications.

• Barrett’s oesophagus

The surgeon treats the condition by performing an esophagectomy to remove the damaged section.

• Achalasis

Thoracic surgeons effectively treat the condition with the help of minimally invasive procedures like Heller Myotomy.

• Hiatal hernias  

Thoracic and chest surgeons treat the condition by repositioning the stomach, tightening the diaphragm, and performing a fundoplication.

• Lung nodules

The thoracic surgeon treats the issue by performing minimally invasive techniques like VATS or robotic-assisted surgery for small resections. Full mastectomies are performed in larger cases.

• Myasthenia gravis

The treatment of the condition involves removal of the thymus gland, and for that, thymectomy is performed by the surgeon using minimally invasive techniques like VSTS and robotics.

• Pleural effusion

It is a condition characterised by excess fluid around the lungs, causing discomfort and shortness of breath as the lungs are compressed. The treatment includes chest tube drainage or a surgical procedure to drain and examine the chest cavity. They also manage infected effusions with drainage.

• Pneumothorax

It is a collapsed lung condition, and treatment is done by performing VATS, an advanced minimally invasive technique.

Thoracic surgeons specialise in surgeries of the chest cavity and focus mainly on lung conditions, esophageal issues, heart-related issues, and chest wall and diaphragm problems, and perform procedures like VATS and robotic-assisted surgery that involve less recovery time and fewer scars.  Consult Dr. Arvind Kumar for an early diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment in Delhi.

How do thoracic surgeons treat these common diseases?

The thoracic surgeons are known for treating cancer that ranges from lung cancer, esophageal cancer, pleural mesothelioma, and mediastinal tumours.

• Another common condition treated by thoracic surgeons is Emphysema, a lung disease that affects the air sacs, causing them to lose elasticity and reducing the surface area for breathing.
• Lung infections are also prevalent and may at times require surgical drainage or removal of infected lung tissue.
• Diseases of the pleura may sometimes require surgical drainage of excess fluid that accumulates in the pleural space surrounding the lungs.
• Many thoracic deformities, as well as malformations, create irregularities in the shape of the thoracic region.
• Thoracic surgeons also treat hyperhidrosis with a surgical procedure.

 Why do you need a thoracic surgeon?

Thoracic surgeons are experienced, skilled specialists who work delicately to manage diseases and conditions affecting the chest. They have expertise in open and minimally invasive procedures that are required to treat severe conditions like lung cancer, heart issues and respiratory disorders.  Consulting the best thoracic surgeon, such as Dr Arvind Kumar, ensures patients receive effective, tailored care. The surgeon in Delhi uses VATS and robotic-assisted techniques that effectively reduce recovery time and improve the surgical outcomes.

Why choose Dr Arvind Kumar?

Thoracic surgeons are experts who perform complex surgeries with care and precision, using state-of-the-art technology and a multidisciplinary approach to ensure excellent outcomes. Whether you need the best Lung Cancer Treatment in India or treatment for benign chest issues, a thoracic surgeon in Delhi can help and offer expert guidance and intervention.

Dr Arvind Kumar is a renowned thoracic and chest surgeon in Delhi who employs minimally invasive procedures, including video-assisted thoracic surgery and robotic-assisted surgery. He is known for performing delicate chest operations every year and applying state-of-the-art surgical techniques with a focus on early diagnosis, best cancer staging and a multidisciplinary approach for the effective treatment of many common thoracic conditions.