When should a patient consider seeing a Thoracic Surgeon?
Your Primary Care Physician, Cardiologist, Pulmonologist, or Gastroenterologist may send you to a thoracic surgeon if he/she feels that you could benefit from an operation to treat a condition involving the heart, lungs, esophagus, mediastinum, or the chest wall.

What is minimally invasive surgery?
These are advanced surgical techniques using high definition imaging technology and precision instruments to work through tiny incisions to perform procedures. For example, one of the most common treatments for lung cancer involves the surgical removal of the lobe of the lung, known as pulmonary lobectomy. Traditional thoracotomy and lobectomy require a large incision, often 10 inches. The procedure also commonly results in substantial blood loss and a lengthy and uncomfortable recovery.

What is the benefit of minimally invasive surgery to patients?
In comparison to traditional surgery, minimally invasive surgery generally results in less blood loss, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and a faster return to normal daily activities. Patients may also experience less post-operative pain and scarring.

Are there different kinds of thoracic surgeons?

What should I expect after thoracic surgery?

What conditions do vascular surgeons treat? Vascular surgeons are physicians who care for patients with diseases that affect the arteries and veins throughout the body outside of the heart and brain.

What is vascular disease and how serious is it?
Most vascular disease is caused by atherosclerosis, a disease of the walls of the vessels, often called “hardening of the arteries.” This may cause plaque build-up which may block circulation, or weaken the blood vessel wall which may lead to aneurysm disease. Vascular disease afflicts millions of Indians and is one of the most frequent causes of death and disability among older Indians.

What is the difference between heart disease and vascular disease?
Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease. It is caused by atherosclerosis, “hardening of the arteries” that is limited to the vessels supplying circulation to the heart muscle itself. Vascular disease outside the heart can affect the rest of the circulation to the body, including the blood supply to the arms, the legs, the brain, the kidneys, and the gut – even the fingers and toes may be affected.

What are the common diseases of the vascular system?
The most common diseases of the vascular system include: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic Aortic Dissection, Carotid Arterial Disease, Stroke, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Venous Disease (Varicose Veins, DVT, and Phlebitis). Early detection is important so that vascular diseases can be effectively treated.

What is vascular screening?
Non-invasive, painless ultrasound tests can easily detect an aneurysm, narrowing or blockages in the vascular system, allowing for accurate diagnosis and early treatment that can ultimately save your life.

Who should be tested for vascular disease?
Individuals who are over 55 years old, have smoked during their life, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary disease, or diabetes should have a screening . Anyone with a family history of aneurysms should also be screened with duplex ultrasound.

Does early detection for vascular disease really help?
Early detection of vascular problems can prevent stroke, disability and death.

What are the tests used in a vascular screening?
The most frequently used screening test is an ultrasound examination. This is a non-invasive way of evaluating the size of and flow through major blood vessels in the body including the carotid arteries, the aorta, and the arteries and veins in the legs. This study is performed by using a probe covered in a gel placed onto the skin to look at the vessels of interest. A typical exam lasts approximately an hour.

Should I see a doctor about varicose veins?
Remember these important questions when deciding whether to see your doctor:
Has the varicose vein become swollen, red, or very tender or warm to the touch? If yes, see your doctor. If no, are there sores or a rash on the leg or near the ankle with the varicose vein, or are there circulation problems in your feet? If yes, see your doctor.

Are varicose and spider veins painful or dangerous?
Medical treatment usually is not required for varicose or spider veins. However, varicose veins can become quite uncomfortable as well as look unattractive. Varicose veins usually enlarge and worsen over time. They can cause the legs and feet to swell. Although severe leg pain is not common, leg muscles may feel fatigued or heavy, or throb and cramp at night. The skin on the legs and around the ankles also can itch or burn.

In some cases, varicose veins and spider veins can cause more serious problems, and medical treatment will provide benefits. If the veins become severe, they can cause a condition called venous insufficiency, a severe clogging of the blood in the veins that prevents it from returning to the heart. This condition can cause problems like a deep-vein thrombosis (blood clot), or a severe bleeding infection.

These usually are caused by injury to the varicose vein. A blood clot can be very dangerous because of the possibility of it traveling from the leg veins to the lungs, where it may block the heart and lungs from functioning. Lastly, because the skin tissue around the varicose vein may not receive enough nourishment, sores or skin ulcers may develop.