Thoracic Surgery

The thoracic paravertebral block was first described in the treatment of chronic pain. More recently, the technique has also been used to provide surgical analgesia for a variety of applications, including thoracic, breast, and general surgery. It is possible to provide analgesia lasting into the postoperative period, and certain procedures may be performed without the need for general anaesthesia.Thoracic Paravertebral Block – June 1, 2009

This article describes the steps taken to evaluate patients’ fitness for lung resection surgery. Examples are used to demonstrate interpretation of these tests. It is vital to use these tests in conjunction with a thorough history and examination in order to achieve an accurate assessment of each patient’s level of function.Pulmonary Function Tests and Lung Resection – June 1, 2009

One lung ventilation (OLV) is the term used in thoracic anaesthesia to describe the ability to ventilate one of a patient’s lungs, allowing the other one to collapse. This article will describe indications for OLV, techniques used to achieve OLV, the physiological changes associated with OLV and ways that oxygenation can be improved during OLV.One Lung Ventilation – June 1, 2006

Core operations are lobar resection, pneumonectomy for malignant and non-malignant conditions, mediastinoscopy and mediastinotomy, bronchoscopy for diagnostic and interventional reasons, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for drainage and investigation of effusions, management of air-leaks, management of empyema and operations on the chest wall. Lung volume reduction surgery and lung transplantation are specialised procedures usually rationalised to specific units or surgeons.Thoracic Anaesthesia Update – June 1, 2004