Thoracic Surgery

Thoracic surgeons receive specialized training in the surgical management of a variety of diseases affecting organs within the chest (thorax), such as the heart, the great vessels, the lungs, the esophagus, and the chest wall.

Cardiac Surgery

Conditions of the heart that may require the input of a thoracic surgeon include coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and dysrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).

Procedures commonly performed by thoracic surgeons include:

• Coronary Artery Bypass
• Valve Repair or Replacement
• Maze Procedure
• Pacemaker and/or Defibrillator Placement

General Thoracic Surgery

Non-cardiac thoracic surgery includes treatment of conditions affecting the other organs within the chest and conditions affecting the chest itself.

Procedures commonly performed by thoracic surgeons include:

• Lung Resection or Biopsy
• Esophageal Resection or Repair
• Resection or Biopsy of Mediastinal Tumors and Lymph Nodes
• Treatment of Pneumothorax and Empyema

eMedicine by WebMD: Thoracic Surgery

Iowa City Thoracic & Vascular Home