Interventional pulmonology is a specialized area of lung medicine that uses minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat various lung and airway conditions. It's an approach that uses small tubes with cameras and special tools (called endoscopes) to look inside your lungs and airways and perform procedures. This allows doctors to diagnose and treat lung problems without major surgery in many cases. Common conditions addressed:

 

1. Lung cancer - helping diagnose and treat tumors in the lungs
2. Airway blockages - opening up airways that have become narrowed or blocked
3. Breathing difficulties - addressing issues that make it hard to breathe properly
4. Fluid around the lungs - draining excess fluid to help you breathe easier
5. Lung nodules - examining suspicious spots in the lungs
6. Chronic lung diseases - like emphysema or COPD

Interventional pulmonology offers new options for many patients with lung problems, potentially improving diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life.

Thoracic surgery deals with operations on organs in the chest area, excluding the heart and lungs. It focuses on treating conditions affecting the lungs, esophagus, chest wall, and other structures in the chest cavity. Some of the most common conditions addressed by thoracic surgery include:

 

1. Lung cancer: Removal of lung tumors or affected portions of the lung.
2. Emphysema and other severe lung diseases: Procedures to improve breathing and quality of life.
3. Esophageal problems: Treating issues like cancer, severe acid reflux, or narrowing of the esophagus.
4. Chest wall tumors or deformities: Correcting abnormalities of the rib cage or removing tumors.
5. Collapsed lung (pneumothorax): Repairing the lung to prevent air from leaking into the chest cavity.
6. Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis): Surgical treatment to reduce severe sweating.
7. Lung nodules: Removing and examining suspicious growths in the lungs.

Thoracic surgeons use various techniques, including traditional open surgery and minimally invasive approaches like video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). These less invasive methods often mean smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery for patients.