THORACIC (CHEST) SURGICAL PROCEDURES

(Assoc. Prof. Erkan YILDIRIM, MD, PhD, f.e.t.c.s. / Thoracic & Lung Transplant Surgeon / Istanbul –TURKEY)

Thymus Surgery (Thymoma, Thymic Cyst, Thymic Cancer)

• ICU Stay: 1 day
• HOSPITAL Stay: 4-5 days
• TOTAL Stay in TURKEY (range in DAYS*; unless any other complications!): 12- 14 Days

GENERAL INFO

Before Surgery

• Consultations – (Preop – *(Only Anesthesia and Chest Diseases are preoperatively included in the total charges!): Anesthesia and Chest Disease (if needed)*
• Blood Tests: Yes (Hemogram, Serology, Biochemistry, Blood type)
• Chest X-Ray: Yes
• Abdominal X-Ray: If needed!
• PFT (Pulmonary Function Test): Yes – *(Not-included in the total charges!)
• V/Q Scan (Lung Ventilation / Perfusion Scan): Not routine! (If needed)* *(Not included in the total charges!)
• Chest and/or Abdominal CT Scan – *(If the patient have the CT scans already done, then no need to take additional CT scans preop): Yes – Preop evaluation (* Not included in the total charges)!
• PET / CT Scan (Positron Emisson Tomography): Yes – Preop evaluation (* Not included in the total charges)!
• MRI (Chest, Abdomen and/or Brain) –  *(If the patient have the MRI already done, then no need to take additional MRI preop): If needed! (*Not included in the total charges!)
• Bone Scan: Not routine – If needed!* – Preop evaluation (* Not included in the total charges)
• USG / Ultrasonography (Chest, Abdomen, and/or others): Not routine – If needed!* – Preop and/or Postop evaluation (* Not included in the total charges)

During Surgery

• General Anesthesia: Yes
• Local/Regional Anesthesia: No
• Local Anesthesia + Sedation: No
• Spinal / Epidural Anesthesia: Not routine!; *If needed!
• PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia; Epidural or IV route!): Not routine! – *If needed for Postop Analgesia! – *(Not included in the total charges!)

After Surgery

• HOSPITAL STAY after the ICU period, if ever: 4-5 days
• STAY AT HOTEL after being discharged from Hospital –  *’Wound Dressing’ everyday till the Control Day!: 7-8 Days
• First CONTROL Day! – *Get the Stitches removed, If ever!: 7th Day after being discharged to HOTEL!; *Take the Stitches out!; if ever.
• Discharged to HOME – *Take your prescription – DO NOT FORGET! – Patient generally could have “a safe flight to home” after the FIRST CONTROL!: 7th-8th Postop Day (After being discharged to HOTEL)!
• After – Surgery ( 3rd to 4th Weeks) – Needs CONSULTATIONS by “Medical AND Radiation Oncology Clinics”: Yes
• Late – CONTROLS (1st -3rd – 6th – 12th -24th months in concordance with “the Medical & Radiation Oncology Departments Followups”)!: Yes – If the pathology report shows “a malignant and/or suspicious thymic nodule or mass”! – CONSULT YOUR SURGEON!

IMPORTANT NOTES*

INCLUDED (If needed!)* in the total CHARGES; – Blood (if necessary, up to 2 bags), First Chest X-Ray, – Frozen / Section and Pathology, – Prolene Mesh and Methylmetacrylate, – Clips, – First pectus bar, – First day of the ICU (if mentioned above!)

NOT-INCLUDED (If needed!)* in the total CHARGES are; – Preop/ Postop Computerized Tomography, MRI, PET-CT, – Tracheal Stents, – Thoracoscopic staplers & Fireing Apparatus + Alexis retractor, – Tissue glue (Tissell, Fibrin etc.), – Pectus Bars (2nd and 3rd one, if needed!)*, – 2nd and the rest of consultations of the other clinics, if needed!, – PFT (Pulmonary Function Tests), USG (Ultrasonography), Bone Scan, if needed!, – V/Q Scan (Lung Ventilation/Perfusion Scan), if needed!, – 2nd & the rest of the ICU Days AND Accommodation and transfers are not included!