# thoracic surgery > medical specialty involved in surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax **Wikidata**: [Q2964004](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2964004) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiothoracic_surgery) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thoracic-surgery ## Summary Thoracic surgery is a medical specialty focused on the surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax, including the heart, lungs, and esophagus. It encompasses critical procedures such as coronary artery bypass surgery and pericardiectomy, and is closely related to cardiac surgery, a specialized branch within thoracic surgery. ## Key Facts - Thoracic surgery is a medical specialty and academic discipline involved in the surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax. - It is a parent specialty of cardiac surgery, which focuses specifically on the heart and great vessels. - Notable procedures in thoracic surgery include coronary artery bypass surgery, pericardiectomy, and the Norwood procedure. - Thoracic surgery is also known by aliases such as cardiothoracic surgery and thoracosurgery. - The specialty is associated with various identifiers, including GND: 4024641-3, LCCN: sh85059711, and MeSH: D002318. - It is part of broader healthcare classifications, such as healthcare:speciality=thoracic_surgery. - Thoracic surgery has a sitelink count of 37 on Wikidata, indicating its widespread recognition and documentation. - Notable figures in thoracic surgery include Denton Cooley, Tirone E. David, and Zbigniew Religa. - Related medical specialties include orthopedic surgery, cardiac surgery, and surgical oncology. - Thoracic surgery is classified under various identifiers and classifications, including P373: Thoracic surgery, P486: D013903, and P646: /m/02v0_d. ## FAQs **What is thoracic surgery?** Thoracic surgery is a medical specialty that involves surgical procedures on organs inside the thorax, such as the heart, lungs, and esophagus. It is a critical field within surgery and includes a variety of interventions aimed at treating conditions affecting these organs. **What are some notable procedures in thoracic surgery?** Notable procedures in thoracic surgery include coronary artery bypass surgery, pericardiectomy (partial or complete removal of the pericardial sac), and the Norwood procedure, which is a surgery performed on the heart to treat complex congenital heart defects. **Who are some notable figures in the field of thoracic surgery?** Some notable figures in thoracic surgery include Denton Cooley, an American heart surgeon; Tirone E. David, a Canadian cardiac surgeon; and Zbigniew Religa, a Polish cardiac surgeon and politician. Other prominent figures include Albert Starr, Alain Carpentier, and Vivien Thomas. **What is the relationship between thoracic surgery and cardiac surgery?** Cardiac surgery is a subclass of thoracic surgery, which is a medical specialty involved in the surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax. This means that cardiac surgery is a specialized branch of thoracic surgery focusing specifically on the heart and great vessels. **What are some aliases for thoracic surgery?** Thoracic surgery is also known by aliases such as cardiothoracic surgery and thoracosurgery. ## Why It Matters Thoracic surgery is crucial for treating a wide range of conditions affecting organs inside the thorax, from congenital defects to acquired diseases. It plays a vital role in extending and improving the quality of life for patients with heart and lung-related issues. The field has seen significant advancements, leading to innovative procedures and techniques that have revolutionized the treatment of thoracic diseases. Thoracic surgery is also a key area of medical research and education, contributing to the broader understanding of cardiovascular and respiratory health. ## Notable For - Being a specialized branch of surgery focusing on the thorax. - Encompassing critical procedures like coronary artery bypass surgery and the Norwood procedure. - Having a rich history with notable figures such as Denton Cooley, Tirone E. David, and Zbigniew Religa. - Being recognized by various identifiers and classifications, indicating its importance in the medical field. - Having aliases such as cardiothoracic surgery and thoracosurgery, reflecting its broad scope. - Being closely related to other medical specialties such as orthopedic surgery, cardiac surgery, and surgical oncology. ## Body ### Overview Thoracic surgery is a medical specialty that focuses on surgical procedures involving organs inside the thorax, such as the heart, lungs, and esophagus. It is a critical branch of surgery, which deals with the surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax. Thoracic surgery encompasses a range of interventions, from coronary artery bypass surgery to complex procedures like the Norwood operation. ### Procedures - **Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery**: This procedure involves creating a bypass around a blocked coronary artery to restore blood flow to the heart muscle. - **Pericardiectomy**: This is the partial or complete removal of the pericardial sac, which is the membrane surrounding the heart. - **Norwood Procedure**: This is a surgery performed on the heart, often used to treat complex congenital heart defects. ### Notable Figures - **Denton Cooley**: An American heart surgeon (1920–2016) known for his pioneering work in cardiac surgery. - **Tirone E. David**: A Canadian cardiac surgeon recognized for his contributions to the field. - **Zbigniew Religa**: A Polish cardiac surgeon and politician (1938-2009) who made significant advancements in cardiac surgery. - **Albert Starr**: An American surgeon known for his work in developing artificial heart valves. - **Alain Carpentier**: A French surgeon (1933- ) who has made significant contributions to cardiac surgery, particularly in the development of heart valve replacements. - **Vivien Thomas**: An American surgeon (1910-1985) who played a crucial role in the development of procedures for treating blue baby syndrome. ### Classifications and Identifiers Thoracic surgery is classified under various identifiers and classifications, including: - **GND**: 4024641-3 - **LCCN**: sh85059711 - **MeSH**: D002318 - **Healthcare Speciality**: healthcare:speciality=thoracic_surgery - **Wikidata**: Q930752, Q11862829 - **Sitelink Count**: 37 ### Relationships Thoracic surgery is part of the broader field of surgery and is associated with various medical specialties and academic disciplines. It is also linked to notable hospitals and institutions, such as the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital in Spain. ### Related Medical Specialties Thoracic surgery is closely related to other medical specialties such as orthopedic surgery, cardiac surgery, and surgical oncology. Each specialty focuses on specific areas of medicine, contributing to comprehensive patient care. ### Evolution and Advancements Thoracic surgery has evolved significantly over time, incorporating advancements in technology and medical knowledge. Innovations such as minimally-invasive procedures and specialized treatments have enhanced surgical precision and patient outcomes. ### Impact on Modern Medicine Thoracic surgery plays a crucial role in modern medicine, enabling precise diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries affecting organs inside the thorax. The field continues to advance, making it essential for addressing complex medical conditions and improving patient care. ## References 1. YSO-Wikidata mapping project. 2023 2. Quora 3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File 4. KBpedia 5. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)