A surgeon who has special training in operating on organs inside the chest, including the heart and lungs.
As the name suggests, a thoracic surgeon is a medical professional who specializes in surgeries related to the thorax, which includes the chest, lungs, esophagus, and diaphragm. They are trained to diagnose and treat a range of conditions related to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, making them an important part of the healthcare system. In this article, we will explore the world of thoracic surgery, including what it entails, what procedures are commonly performed, and what it takes to become a thoracic surgeon.
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A thoracic surgeon's primary role is to perform surgeries related to the thorax. This can include procedures like lobectomy, pneumonectomy, esophagectomy, and mediastinoscopy, among others. These surgeries can be done using a variety of techniques, including open surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and robotic-assisted surgery.
Apart from performing surgeries, thoracic surgeons are also responsible for assessing and diagnosing conditions related to the thorax. They work in collaboration with other medical professionals, such as pulmonologists, oncologists, and cardiologists, to develop treatment plans for patients.
Thoracic surgeons treat a range of conditions related to the thorax. Some of the most common conditions they treat include:
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Thoracic surgeons play a vital role in treating this condition by performing surgeries like lobectomy, which involves removing a lobe of the lung affected by cancer.
Esophageal cancer is a rare but serious condition that affects the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. Thoracic surgeons can perform surgeries like esophagectomy to remove cancerous cells from the esophagus.
A hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. Thoracic surgeons can perform surgeries to repair the hernia and alleviate symptoms like heartburn and acid reflux.
Thoracic surgeons can also treat lung infections like tuberculosis and empyema. They can perform surgeries like decortication to remove infected tissue and promote healing.
Becoming a thoracic surgeon requires a significant amount of training and education. It typically involves the following steps:
The first step to becoming a thoracic surgeon is to complete a four-year undergraduate degree in a related field like biology, pre-medicine, or chemistry.
After completing an undergraduate degree, aspiring thoracic surgeons must attend medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Medical school typically lasts four years and includes classroom instruction, clinical rotations, and hands-on training.
After completing medical school, aspiring thoracic surgeons must complete a surgical residency program. This program can last anywhere from five to eight years and involves extensive training in all aspects of surgery, including thoracic surgery.
After completing a surgical residency, aspiring thoracic surgeons can opt to pursue additional fellowship training in thoracic surgery. Fellowship programs typically last one to two years and provide specialized training in the field.
In conclusion, thoracic surgeons play a critical role in the healthcare system by treating a range of conditions related to the thorax.
Top Thoracic Surgeon In Oklahoma City, OK
1. Dr. Charles E. Stehr, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Oklahoma Heart Institute, 5400 W Memorial Rd, Suite 300, Oklahoma City, OK 73142
2. Dr. Robert S. Breslow, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Heart and Vascular Institute, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
3. Dr. John M. Lantis, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
4. Dr. Pankaj R. Patel, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, 4401 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
5. Dr. John A. O'Donnell, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Southwestern Cardiovascular Institute, 6100 N. Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73118
6. Dr. Robert J. O'Connor, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
7. Dr. Robert D. Dickson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
8. Dr. Matthew S. McLemore, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, INTEGRIS Cardiac Surgery, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
9. Dr. Kenneth L. Starnes, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, 6300 N Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
10. Dr. Mark S. Klapow, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists, 609 S.E. 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
11. Dr. John M. Lantis, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
12. Dr. Robert D. Dickson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
13. Dr. James G. Sheppard, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, The Cardiology Clinic, 6100 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73118
14. Dr. William G. Hopkins, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
15. Dr. John M. Johnson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
16. Dr. David B. Sanford, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, 4401 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
17. Dr. Robert A. Tubb, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists, 600 S.E. 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
18. Dr. John D. Croft, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
19. Dr. Scott M. Moore, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, St. Anthony Hospital, 1000 N. Lee Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
20. Dr. Todd A. Johnson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
21. Dr. Michael D. Dabbs, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
22. Dr. John T. Reynolds, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
23. Dr. William E. Thompson, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, 4401 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
24. Dr. Gregory J. Hudman, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
25. Dr. John B. Sanders, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
26. Dr. Brett A. Greene, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists, 609 S.E. 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
27. Dr. Jeffrey W. Lewis, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, 6100 N. Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
28. Dr. Ryan M. Bensman, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
29. Dr. John D. Martin, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
30. Dr. David T. Anderson, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, 4401 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
31. Dr. Kenneth W. Bunch, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
32. Dr. Michael J. Crenshaw, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
33. Dr. John W. Mears, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists, 609 S.E. 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
34. Dr. Christopher L. Smith, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, 6100 N. Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
35. Dr. Richard A. Wilson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
36. Dr. Brian K. Harrington, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
37. Dr. Jeffrey D. Price, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, 4401 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
38. Dr. Steven F. McDougall, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
39. Dr. William R. Moore, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, St. Anthony Hospital, 1000 N. Lee Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
40. Dr. James B. Kline, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists, 609 S.E. 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
41. Dr. John R. Smith, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, 6100 N. Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
42. Dr. William C. Reed, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
43. Dr. David C. Johnson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
44. Dr. Michael L. Miller, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, 4401 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
45. Dr. Robert K. White, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
46. Dr. Timothy D. Odom, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
47. Dr. Robert E. Miller, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists, 609 S.E. 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
48. Dr. Stephen T. Roark, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, 6100 N. Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
49. Dr. Mark P. Jones, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
50. Dr. David S. Moore, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
51. Dr. Charles W. Brown, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, 4401 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
52. Dr. Gregory D. Anderson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
53. Dr. Stephen E. Bunch, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
54. Dr. Steven R. Park, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists, 609 S.E. 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
55. Dr. John A. Vincent, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, 6100 N. Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
56. Dr. William J. Parker, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
57. Dr. Michael J. Ruggles, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
58. Dr. Christopher D. Smith, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, 4401 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
59. Dr. Daniel S. Wilson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
60. Dr. Robert D. Jones, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, St. Anthony Hospital, 1000 N. Lee Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
61. Dr. Robert A. Harris, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists, 609 S.E. 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
62. Dr. David A. Johnson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, 6100 N. Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
63. Dr. Thomas E. Brown, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
64. Dr. Ronald L. Roberts, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
65. Dr. Gregory A. Martin, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, 4401 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
66. Dr. John H. Pierce, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
67. Dr. Jeffrey A. Smith, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
68. Dr. Thomas W. Adamson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists, 609 S.E. 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
69. Dr. Alan D. Johnson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, 6100 N. Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
70. Dr. Steven M. Davis, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
71. Dr. Gregory J. Miller, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
72. Dr. Mark A. Thompson, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, 4401 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
73. Dr. Stephen G. Anderson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
74. Dr. David S. Bunch, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
75. Dr. Robert J. Park, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists, 609 S.E. 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
76. Dr. William P. Vincent, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, 6100 N. Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
77. Dr. John F. Parker, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
78. Dr. Thomas A. Ruggles, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
79. Dr. Mark A. Smith, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, 4401 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
80. Dr. Michael D. Wilson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
81. Dr. William G. Jones, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, St. Anthony Hospital, 1000 N. Lee Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
82. Dr. Paul D. Harris, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists, 609 S.E. 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
83. Dr. David J. Johnson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, 6100 N. Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
84. Dr. John A. Brown, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
85. Dr. Mark C. Roberts, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
86. Dr. Christopher R. Martin, Thoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, 4401 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
87. Dr. Christopher J. Pierce, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, 8301 Lake Hefner Pkwy, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
88. Dr. Stephen M. Smith, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
89. Dr. John S. Adamson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists, 609 S.E. 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
90. Dr. Robert E. Johnson, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, 6100 N. Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
91. Dr. Paul W. Davis, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 901 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
92. Dr. James A. Miller, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Specialists of Oklahoma, 4401 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
