What kind of surgery does a thoracic surgeon do? An in-depth guide

September 23, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, thoracic surgeons are experts in performing operations within the chest cavity. What kind of surgery does a thoracic surgeon do? They specialize in procedures involving the lungs, esophagus, chest wall, and diaphragm, among other critical structures.

Quick Summary

A thoracic surgeon performs a wide variety of operations on organs and tissues in the chest, including the lungs, esophagus, and chest wall, to treat conditions such as cancer, hernias, and deformities. They utilize both traditional open and advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Key Points

Surgical Scope: A thoracic surgeon operates on chest organs like the lungs, esophagus, and chest wall, but not typically the heart, unless they are a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Lung Procedures: Common lung surgeries include removing tumors (lobectomy, wedge resection), entire lungs (pneumonectomy), or performing transplants.
Esophageal Operations: Thoracic surgeons treat esophageal cancer (esophagectomy), severe GERD (fundoplication), and hiatal hernias.
Mediastinal Treatment: They also remove tumors and masses from the mediastinum, the central chest cavity.
Advanced Techniques: Minimally invasive procedures like VATS and robotic-assisted surgery offer less pain and faster recovery compared to traditional open thoracotomy.
Corrective Surgery: The specialty includes correcting chest wall deformities like pectus excavatum and carinatum using procedures such as the Nuss or Ravitch repair.

Understanding the Thoracic Surgeon's Specialization

A thoracic surgeon is a specialist in procedures involving the chest region, or thorax. It's important to distinguish them from cardiothoracic surgeons, who also perform heart surgery. A general thoracic surgeon focuses on the lungs, esophagus, chest wall, trachea, and diaphragm. The thorax contains vital structures such as the lungs, esophagus, trachea, mediastinum (housing the heart and major vessels), chest wall, and diaphragm. Thoracic surgeons diagnose, treat, and manage conditions affecting these areas.

Common Procedures for Lung Conditions

Lung diseases, particularly cancer, are a major part of thoracic surgery. Procedures range from removing small nodules to an entire lung.

Lung Resection Techniques

Lung resection involves removing part or all of a lung. Common techniques include:

Lobectomy: Removal of a lung lobe, often for early-stage lung cancer.
Pneumonectomy: Removal of an entire lung for extensive cancer.
Wedge Resection/Segmentectomy: Removal of a small part of the lung, preserving healthy tissue for localized tumors or nodules.
Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS): Removal of damaged lung tissue to improve function in severe emphysema.

Other Pulmonary Procedures

Thoracic surgeons also treat non-cancerous lung conditions:

Bullectomy: Removal of large air sacs in advanced emphysema.
Pleurodesis/Pleurectomy: Procedures to address fluid or air around the lungs.
Lung Transplantation: Surgical replacement of a diseased lung.

Esophageal and Diaphragmatic Surgery

Thoracic surgeons treat both cancerous and benign conditions of the esophagus and diaphragm.

Treating Cancer and Reflux

Esophagectomy: Removal of part or all of the esophagus, mainly for cancer, followed by reconstruction.
Fundoplication (Nissen/Toupet): Reinforcing the lower esophageal sphincter for severe GERD or hiatal hernia.
Heller Myotomy: Cutting esophageal muscle fibers to treat achalasia.

Hiatal Hernia Repair

Repairing a hiatal hernia involves returning the stomach to the abdomen and tightening the diaphragm opening. Complex cases may use a transthoracic approach.

Surgery for the Mediastinum and Chest Wall

Thoracic surgeons address conditions in the mediastinum and chest wall.

Mediastinal Mass Resection

Removal of benign or cancerous masses in the mediastinum, such as thymomas or cysts.

Correcting Chest Wall Deformities

Surgical correction for congenital deformities like pectus excavatum (sunken chest) or pectus carinatum (protruding chest) is performed, often using techniques like the Nuss or Ravitch repair.

Minimally Invasive vs. Open Surgery

Surgical advancements offer less invasive options.

Minimally Invasive Techniques

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS): Uses small incisions and a camera for procedures within the chest.
Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS): Uses a robotic system for enhanced precision.

Open Procedures

Thoracotomy: Traditional open surgery with a larger incision, used for complex cases where minimally invasive methods are not suitable.

Comparison of Surgical Approaches


Feature	Minimally Invasive (VATS/RATS)	Open (Thoracotomy)
Incisions	Multiple small incisions	One larger incision
Recovery Time	Shorter hospital stay and recovery	Longer hospital stay and recovery
Pain Level	Less postoperative pain	More significant postoperative pain
Accuracy/Precision	Enhanced precision with robotic assistance	Excellent visibility for complex cases
Complications	Generally lower risk of complications	Higher risk of infection and complications
Suitability	Early-stage cancer, smaller tumors, benign conditions	Large, complex, or advanced tumors, complex reconstructions

Conclusion

Thoracic surgeons are highly specialized in treating conditions of the lungs, esophagus, chest wall, and other chest structures. They utilize various techniques, including minimally invasive and traditional open surgeries. Consulting a qualified thoracic surgeon is essential for expert care for conditions in this area. To learn more, visit the official Society of Thoracic Surgeons website.

Visit the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Website

Frequently Asked Questions

For lung cancer, a thoracic surgeon may perform a lobectomy (removing a lung lobe), a pneumonectomy (removing an entire lung), or a wedge resection/segmentectomy (removing a small portion of a lobe). Minimally invasive techniques like VATS or robotic surgery are often used.

No, general thoracic surgeons do not operate on the heart. That is the specialty of a cardiac surgeon. A cardiothoracic surgeon, however, is trained in both heart (cardiac) and general thoracic surgery.

Yes, a thoracic surgeon can perform a fundoplication to treat severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This procedure reinforces the valve between the esophagus and stomach to prevent acid reflux.

Both are minimally invasive techniques. VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) uses small incisions and a video camera. Robotic thoracic surgery is a more advanced technique that uses a robotic system, controlled by the surgeon, to enhance precision and dexterity.

Thoracic surgeons treat a range of esophageal conditions, including esophageal cancer (via esophagectomy), hiatal hernias, and swallowing disorders like achalasia.

Yes, open chest surgery, or thoracotomy, is still performed, especially for very large, complex tumors or when minimally invasive techniques are not appropriate. Thoracotomy provides the surgeon with better visibility and access for certain procedures.

For a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) or recurring fluid buildup around the lung (pleural effusion), a thoracic surgeon might perform pleurodesis or pleurectomy to fuse the lung's lining to the chest wall and prevent future issues.

Yes, thoracic surgeons can perform corrective surgery for congenital chest wall deformities such as pectus excavatum (sunken chest) and pectus carinatum (protruding chest).