Kangwon National UniversityCollege of Medicine · School of Medicine

In thoracic surgery there are two major subspecialties General Thoracic Surgery (Pulmonary/Esophageal Surgery) Lungs are important organs for respiration in the human body. Lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are among the diseases with the highest prevalence. Thoracic surgery includes surgeries for many lung diseases, including lung cancer, as well as chest wall diseases, including pleura, mediastinal disease, diaphragm, and ribs. In particular, lung and esophageal surgeries are highly difficult surgeries that require high-level expertise and technology and extensive professional manpower and cooperation.

Cardiac and Vascular Surgery Adult diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia cause various heart and vascular diseases and are among the leading causes of death along with lung diseases. Ischemic heart disease and heart valve disease are typical heart diseases, and surgery is required in severe cases. In cardiac surgery, a heart-lung machine, a product of high technology medicine, is used to stop the heart while performing the operation

Heart surgery requires considerable manpower, equipment, and facilities for special anesthesia and perioperative intensive management. Another major field in cardiac surgery is pediatric heart surgery, which is used to treat congenital heart diseases. In addition to heart surgery, cardiovascular surgeons perform various aortic and peripheral vascular surgeries in which a high level of surgical skill is required.