Pleural surgery is usually performed for two different reasons. One is to treat complications of a chest space infection. The other is to treat patients with advanced cancer by draining chest fluid that compresses the lung. Patients have less difficulty breathing, as a result, leading to a better quality of life.
Complications: Mediastinal Surgeries, 2005-2008
Mediastinal surgery is used to diagnose diseases, stage (quantify) cancer or remove abnormal growths. Most mediastinal surgery is outpatient.
Complications: Esophageal Surgeries, 2005-2008
The esophagus spans the length of the neck and chest, ending in the abdomen by connecting to the stomach. Esophageal removal carries a relatively high risk of complications or death, being such a complex, extensive surgery. The esophagus is removed most commonly to cure cancer, often in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Complications: Other Surgeries, 2005-2008
The category of "Other Surgeries" is diverse, including: chest wall (rib and muscles) procedures; interventional bronchoscopy (tumor obliteraton or stenting); tracheal (main wind pipe) procedures; pericardial (heart sac) procedures; and diaphragm procedures.
