Surgery involving the rib cage and structures contained within the chest. It is used to biopsy or remove masses in the hilum, lung, or mediastinum, to drain abscesses or treat empyema, to repair cardiac valves or vessels, or to implant devices, such as cardioverter/defibrillators in the chest.
Thoracic surgery is a surgical field dedicated to procedures performed on organs located within the chest cavity. At times, thoracic surgery is integrated with heart surgery, forming what is known as cardiothoracic surgery.
Surgical procedures carried out inside the chest.