Patients who are undergoing thoracic surgery require careful attention in the perioperative period. These patients are often older and have baseline abnormalities of lung function, decreased nutritional status, and other comorbid diseases. Postoperatively, factors that influence patient recovery include removal…
The decision to proceed with any surgical procedure involves a careful consideration of the anticipated benefits of surgery and an assessment of the risks associated with the surgical procedure. An important component of estimating the benefit of surgery is knowledge…
Since the late 1990s advances in imaging technology, including digital subtraction chest radiographs, multidetector spiral computed tomography (MDCT), dual-energy computed tomography (CT) techniques, electrocardiograph (ECG)-gated CT, positron emission tomography (PET) with CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have improved diagnostic…
The thorax is the upper part of the trunk, bounded by the diaphragm inferiorly, the thoracic inlet superiorly, and the thoracic cage between. Vital organs, such as the heart and lungs, reside completely within the thoracic cavity, and other, equally…