Thoracic Surgery is the medical specialty that refers to any surgery performed in the chest cavity and affects the surrounding organs. A Thoracic Surgeon today is dealing with congenital, benign or malignant conditions of the chest. The role can be diagnostic (performing biopsies from the above organs), curative (surgical treatment from established medical problems) or palliative (helping to improve the life expectancy and the quality of life of end stage patients).
The use of a camera and the implementation of minimally invasive and keyhole surgery for the majority of patients including the most complex cases is standard practice for most Thoracic Surgeons today. Robotic Surgery is also becoming very popular amongst Thoracic Surgeons.