The AAMC modeled different potential scenarios for the number of finishing cardiothoracic residents. Even with assumptions that every available training program is filled (130 positions/year), the AAMC has projected a shortage of 1,500 cardiothoracic surgeons, or 25% of the workforce, by 2025.

Is there a shortage of thoracic surgeons?

The AAMC modeled different potential scenarios for the number of finishing cardiothoracic residents. Even with assumptions that every available training program is filled (130 positions/year), the AAMC has projected a shortage of 1,500 cardiothoracic surgeons, or 25% of the workforce, by 2025.

Is thoracic surgery residency competitive?

Finally, CT surgery is incredibly competitive, particularly if you want to get into an integrated residency or get into a strong general surgery residency to position you well for a CT fellowship. And who better to learn from and be mentored by than CT surgeons themselves.

What is the most common thoracic surgery?

The most frequent thoracic surgeries are performed for the treatment of primary lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma. For lung cancer, the standard procedures are pneumonectomy and lobectomy with associated mediastinal lymphadenectomy.

What is considered a thoracic surgery?

Thoracic surgery refers to operations on organs in the chest, including the heart, lungs and esophagus. Examples of thoracic surgery include coronary artery bypass surgery, heart transplant, lung transplant and removal of parts of the lung affected by cancer.

What is the future of cardiac surgery?

As such, future cardiac surgeons will require both surgical and interventional skills as the application of endovascular and minimally invasive techniques expand. It is the ability to adapt to and embrace new technology that has enabled the incredible growth of cardiac surgery as a specialty.

How many thoracic surgeons are in the US?

The American Board of Thoracic Surgery has certified 4500 cardiothoracic surgeons since 1975, but only 1300 in the last 10 years. The US Department of Health and Human Services predicts only 3620 full-time cardiothoracic surgeons in 2020.

What is the easiest surgeon to become?

general surgeon
The easiest surgeon to be is a general surgeon. These physicians treat many kinds of ailments that require surgeries that are usually less complicated than specialty surgeries. They spend their days performing appendectomies, removing gallbladders, and other routine procedures.

Is thoracic surgery serious?

Like all surgery, there are risks to minimally invasive thoracic surgery. They include infection, bleeding, abnormal heartbeats and air leakage from your lungs and pain. Robotic-assisted surgery may be associated with longer operative times and a longer time under anesthesia.

How painful is thoracic surgery?

Your chest may hurt and be swollen for up to 6 weeks. It may ache or feel stiff for up to 3 months. You may also feel tightness, itching, numbness, or tingling around the incision for up to 3 months. Your doctor will give you medicine to help with pain.

Is thoracic surgery heart surgery?

Cardiothoracic surgery, also known as thoracic surgery, is a field of surgery pertaining to organs in the thorax (chest), including the heart and lungs. It may be used to treat a wide range of issues, from heart failure to pulmonary embolism to esophageal cancer.

Is cardio thoracic surgery dying?

Cardiac surgery has been described as a dying specialty with the astronomical growth of the field becoming overshadowed by its impending decline. The increasing use of less invasive methods is shifting the landscape away from open surgery toward the interventional techniques already dominated by other specialties.