# Thoracic Surgery * **Definition:** A specialized field of surgery that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions affecting the thoracic cavity, including the lungs, heart, esophagus, and other structures, often utilizing minimally invasive techniques such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). * **Taxonomy:** Specialties / Thoracic Surgery ## News * Selected news on the topic of **Thoracic Surgery**, for healthcare technology leaders * 1.4K news items are in the system for this topic * Posts have been filtered for tech-related keywords | Date | Title | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | 5/12/2025 | [**INVAMED Awarded "Best Healthcare Robotics/Navigation Solution" at MedTech 2025**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/invamed-awarded-best-healthcare-robotics-200000457.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 5/5/2025 | [**Trading Away Tomorrow's Cures**](https://www.mddionline.com/business/trading-away-tomorrow-s-cures) | [[MDDI]] | | 4/23/2025 | [**Are We Missing Opportunities to Help Patients? With Severe Emphysema, the Answer is Yes**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/patient-safety-outcomes/are-we-missing-opportunities-to-help-patients-with-severe-emphysema-the-answer-is-yes/) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 4/15/2025 | [**Medicaid expansion improves timely lung cancer treatment and access to high-volume hospitals**](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-medicaid-expansion-lung-cancer-treatment.html) | [[MedicalXpress]] | | 4/3/2025 | [**Addressing low lung cancer screening rates through awareness and access**](https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250403/Addressing-low-lung-cancer-screening-rates-through-awareness-and-access.aspx) | [[News Medical Net]] | | 4/3/2025 | [**Florida heart center names cath labs in honor of $10M gift**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cardiology/florida-heart-center-names-cath-labs-in-honor-of-10m-gift/) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 4/3/2025 | [**Northwell team performs hospital's 1st pediatric heart transplant**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cardiology/northwell-team-performs-hospitals-1st-pediatric-heart-transplant/) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 4/3/2025 | [**What's behind shorter stays after thoracic surgery at NYU Langone?**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cardiology/whats-behind-shorter-stays-after-thoracic-surgery-at-nyu-langone/) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 3/4/2025 | [**Philips: Stop using endovascular device 'immediately'**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cardiology/philips-stop-using-endovascular-device-immediately.html) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 2/19/2025 | [**Dr. Oz vows to sell healthcare stocks once confirmed to run CMS**](https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/dr-oz-vows-sell-healthcare-stocks-once-confirmed-run-cms) | [[FierceHealthcare]] | | 2/19/2025 | [**Scientists identify feature of aggressive non-small cell lung cancer - Medical Xpress**](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-scientists-feature-aggressive-small-cell.html?deviceType=desktop) | [[MedicalXpress]] | | 2/5/2025 | [**32 Physicians and Surgeons from Virginia Cancer Specialists Named as NorthernVirginia ...**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/32-physicians-and-surgeons-from-virginia-cancer-specialists-named-as-northernvirginia-magazines-2025-top-doctors-302367661.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 1/31/2025 | [**Emory team pilots 3D modeling for lung cancer surgery - Becker's Hospital Review**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/oncology/emory-team-pilots-3d-modeling-for-lung-cancer-surgery.html) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 1/27/2025 | [**Anatomic lung resection linked to improved survival for early-stage lung cancer**](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-anatomic-lung-resection-linked-survival.html) | [[MedicalXpress]] | | 1/14/2025 | [**Ambience Healthcare and St. Luke's Health System Partner to Reduce Clinician Burnout ...**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ambience-healthcare-st-lukes-health-140300808.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 12/12/2024 | [**NYU Langone expands cardiac services - Becker's Hospital Review**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cardiology/nyu-langone-expands-cardiac-services.html) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 12/12/2024 | [**Salary disparities in cardiothoracic surgery: 4 study notes - Becker's Hospital Review**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cardiology/salary-disparities-in-cardiothoracic-surgery-4-study-notes.html) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 11/18/2024 | [**Can COVID-19 help the body fight cancer? Shocking new study links virus to shrinking tumors**](https://www.aol.com/covid-19-help-body-fight-183104765.html) | [[AOL]] | | 11/6/2024 | [**World's first comparative study shows safety of single-port robotic thymectomy**](https://www.news-medical.net/news/20241106/Worlde28099s-first-comparative-study-shows-safety-of-single-port-robotic-thymectomy.aspx) | [[News Medical Net]] | | 11/6/2024 | [**Comparing single-port robotic thymectomy using a single-port robotic system and video-assisted thoracic surgery**](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-11-port-robotic-thymectomy-video-thoracic.html) | [[MedicalXpress]] | | 11/6/2024 | [**Comparing single-port robotic thymectomy using a single-port robotic system and video ...**](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-11-port-robotic-thymectomy-video-thoracic.html?deviceType=desktop) | [[MedicalXpress]] | | 9/23/2024 | [**JAMA**](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2823929) | [[JAMA Network]] | | 9/2/2024 | [**JAMA**](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2823031) | [[JAMA Network]] | | 8/26/2024 | [**JAMA**](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2822727) | [[JAMA Network]] | | 7/18/2024 | [**Vergent Bioscience Data Published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery Demonstrate VGT-309 May Help Surgeons Visualize Tumor Tissue in the Lung During Surgery**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240718054254/en/Vergent-Bioscience-Data-Published-in-The-Annals-of-Thoracic-Surgery-Demonstrate-VGT-309-May-Help-Surgeons-Visualize-Tumor-Tissue-in-the-Lung-During-Surgery/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-RLXHJgazfQJNuOVHefdHP-D8R-QU5o2AvY8bhI9uvWSD8DYIYv4TIC1g1u0AKcacnnViVjtb72bOP4-4nHK5ieT3WxPE8m_kWI77F87CseT) | [[Business Wire]] | ## Specialty Overview (Some LLM-derived content — please confirm with above primary sources) ### Key Players - **Cardiothoracic Surgery Network**: A collaborative network aimed at improving patient outcomes through shared knowledge and resources among thoracic surgeons. - **Society of Thoracic Surgeons**: An organization that presents research findings and guidelines impacting thoracic surgery practices. - **Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)**: A leading organization dedicated to advancing the practice of thoracic surgery through education, research, and advocacy. - **American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS)**: A professional organization that represents thoracic surgeons and promotes education, research, and advocacy in the field. - **NYU Langone**: Notable for its thoracic surgery service line, performing a high volume of surgeries with minimal mortality rates. - **Baylor Scott & White Heart & Vascular Hospital**: A leading healthcare facility where significant thoracic surgeries are performed, emphasizing the importance of timely medical intervention. - **Hannah Wunsch, MD, MSc**: A prominent figure in thoracic surgery discussions, focusing on historical advancements in ventilation and their relevance to modern practices. - **CONMED Corporation**: Specializes in medical technology, providing devices and equipment for various surgical procedures, including thoracic surgery. - **National Institutes of Health**: Conducts research highlighting trends in preventive screenings and their impact on thoracic health. - **Ronovo Surgical**: Shanghai-based medtech company focusing on modular robotic systems for surgical applications, including thoracic procedures. - **Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center**: Recognized for its commitment to excellence in cancer care, including thoracic surgery, and utilizing AI for lung cancer screening. - **Dr. David Cooke**: Permanent physician-in-chief of the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and founding chief of the division of general thoracic surgery at UC Davis Health. - **University Hospitals**: A healthcare system in Northeast Ohio that has implemented the Da Vinci 5 robotic system for thoracic surgeries, enhancing surgical experiences. - **Olympus Corp.**: Launched an AI-powered clinical decision tool for pre-operative planning in thoracic surgeries. ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Four Thoracic Societies**: Including the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, collaborating to create standardized clinical practice guidelines to improve patient care in thoracic surgery. - **Industry partnerships with medical device companies**: Thoracic surgery has seen partnerships with companies developing innovative surgical tools and technologies, enhancing surgical precision and patient outcomes. - **Partnerships with technology companies**: Collaborations with tech firms to integrate advanced imaging and robotic surgery technologies into thoracic surgical practices. - **Collaboration between STS and AATS**: Joint initiatives to enhance training and education for thoracic surgeons, including the development of standardized training programs. - **Collaboration between AATS and STS**: These organizations often collaborate on educational initiatives and research projects to enhance the quality of thoracic surgical care. - **Emory Healthcare**: Piloting the use of digital 3D lung models to improve robotic-assisted thoracic surgeries. - **Cardiovascular Logistics and Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia**: Partnering to expand cardiology practices. - **Korea University College of Medicine**: Conducted a joint research study on single-port robotic thymectomy, demonstrating its safety and efficacy. - **Skanray and Tata Elxsi**: Collaborating to develop advanced surgical imaging technology and software platforms to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment consistency. - **Force Therapeutics and ECU Health**: Working together to automate patient-reported outcome measurements and improve care delivery. - **Paragonix Technologies and Nationwide Organ Recovery Transport Alliance**: Collaborating to launch a donor organ courier service that utilizes commercial flights for organ transportation, enhancing thoracic transplant logistics. - **Concord Hospital and Big House Partners**: Collaborating to produce promotional videos for cardiovascular services. - **Qventus and Healthcare Systems**: Collaboration to implement AI solutions that improve surgical preparedness and reduce cancellations. - **Virginia Cancer Specialists and The US Oncology Network**: Collaboration with over 2,600 independent providers to deliver integrated, value-based cancer care. - **IMPLANET and SMTP Technology Co.**: Partnering to enhance distribution networks for ultrasonic surgical scalpels in France. - **Cadrenal Therapeutics**: Plans to pursue partnerships to advance tecarfarin, a new anticoagulant, particularly for patients with implanted cardiac devices. - **Olympus and Ziosoft**: Partnership to develop AI tools for enhancing surgical precision through advanced imaging analytics. - **ONCO Inc. and Inspirata Inc.**: Formed a strategic partnership to enhance oncology data management and cancer care solutions through an AI-driven platform. - **Ensemble and Independence Health System**: Strategic partnership to enhance revenue cycle management and improve financial performance across healthcare facilities. - **Artivion and U.S. Hospitals**: Artivion plans to collaborate with U.S. hospitals and physicians to expand access to the AMDS device. ### Innovations, Trends, and Initiatives - **Telemedicine in thoracic surgery**: Utilization of telehealth platforms for pre-operative consultations and post-operative follow-ups, improving patient access to care. - **Minimally Invasive Techniques**: Increasing adoption of techniques like VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) and RATS (Robotic-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) in thoracic surgery. - **Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery**: Increasing adoption of robotic systems to enhance precision and reduce recovery times for patients undergoing thoracic procedures. - **General Thoracic Surgery Robotics Program**: Led by Dr. David Cooke at UC Davis Health, focusing on advancements in robotic surgical techniques. - **Robotic Surgery**: The market for robotic-assisted surgical systems is growing rapidly, with innovations in minimally invasive techniques for thoracic surgeries. - **Telemedicine in preoperative and postoperative care**: The use of telemedicine has expanded in thoracic surgery, facilitating remote consultations and follow-ups, improving access to care. - **Digital Thoracic Drainage Devices**: The market is growing due to increased thoracic surgery volume and demand for minimally invasive procedures. - **Single-Port Robotic Thymectomy**: A study showed that this method is safer and more effective than conventional video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), potentially setting a new standard. - **2024 ESC Guidelines for Atrial Fibrillation**: Introduces new treatment recommendations that may impact thoracic surgery practices related to heart conditions. - **VGT-309 Study**: Demonstrated improved surgical outcomes in lung cancer surgeries by localizing lesions not detected by standard techniques, highlighting the need for enhanced visualization in thoracic surgery. - **Surgical Techniques for Lung Cancer**: Research indicates that anatomic lung resections lead to better long-term survival rates compared to wedge resections. - **Surgical Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS)**: Recent studies show LVRS may offer better outcomes than endobronchial valve placement for advanced emphysema. - **Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols**: Implementation of ERAS protocols in thoracic surgery aims to optimize patient recovery through evidence-based practices. - **First Fully Robotic Lung Transplant**: Successfully performed at NYU Langone Health, marking a significant advancement in thoracic surgical procedures. - **3D Modeling in Surgery**: Emory's use of 3D lung models for surgical planning is leading to improved outcomes and efficiency. - **XSense™ Cryoablation System**: FDA-approved system that offers a minimally invasive method for tumor destruction in thoracic surgery, enhancing patient recovery and reducing complications. - **Da Vinci 5 Robotic System**: A new robotic system adopted by University Hospitals for thoracic surgeries, featuring improved visualization and ergonomics. - **STS Risk Calculators**: New interactive tools for esophagectomy and pulmonary resection that provide preoperative risk estimations based on patient-specific factors, aimed at improving surgical decision-making. - **Lung Cancer Surgery Market Growth**: Projected to grow significantly due to technological advancements and increasing demand for effective surgical treatments. ### Challenges and Concerns - **High costs of advanced surgical technologies**: The integration of new technologies in thoracic surgery can lead to increased costs, raising concerns about accessibility and affordability for patients. - **Training and skill development**: Ensuring that thoracic surgeons are adequately trained to use new technologies and techniques is critical for patient safety and outcomes. - **Gender and Racial Disparities**: Research indicates significant salary disparities in cardiothoracic surgery based on gender and race, highlighting the need for equity in the field. - **Unnecessary Pacemaker Implantation**: Research indicates an increased risk of unnecessary pacemaker implantation in patients undergoing heart valve repairs, emphasizing the importance of surgical expertise in thoracic procedures. - **Regulatory and Safety Concerns**: Philips' recall of the Tack Endovascular System due to safety issues raises concerns about device reliability in thoracic procedures. - **Preventive Screening Neglect**: A significant portion of the population neglects preventive screenings, which can lead to late-stage thoracic conditions. - **Gender Disparities in Surgical Outcomes**: Studies indicate that women may face higher mortality rates post-surgery compared to men, highlighting the need for improved referral processes. - **Increased Operative Time**: New surgical techniques may lead to longer operative times, impacting overall efficiency. - **MitraClip Device Safety**: Concerns raised regarding the safety of the MitraClip device following recalls and reports of patient injuries, highlighting the need for rigorous safety evaluations in thoracic interventions. - **Training and education for new techniques**: As new surgical techniques and technologies emerge, there is a continuous need for training and education for surgeons to ensure patient safety and effective outcomes. - **Barriers to Telehealth**: Surgeons face challenges in adopting telehealth for pre-operative visits, despite patient readiness. - **Healthcare System Priorities**: Concerns arise when hospitals prioritize surgical volume over patient outcomes, potentially compromising patient safety. - **Socioeconomic Disparities**: Research indicates that Medicaid-insured heart transplant patients face poorer survival rates and higher risks of complications. - **Healthcare Staffing Shortages**: Ongoing challenges in staffing post-pandemic are impacting surgical operations and patient care. - **Regulatory Challenges**: The growth of minimally invasive surgical technologies may face hurdles due to regulatory approvals and cost justification for smaller hospitals. - **Disparities in Cardiology Access**: Geographic and racial disparities affect timely treatment initiation for various cardiac conditions. - **Low Lung Cancer Screening Rates**: Only 18% of eligible individuals participate in screenings, highlighting barriers to access. - **Accessibility of CGTs**: Concerns about accessibility and insurance coverage for cell and gene therapies, limiting their widespread adoption. - **Trust in AI**: Clinicians' hesitancy to trust generative AI in surgical settings raises concerns about missed diagnoses and the integration of technology in practice.