Thoracic surgery

Our thoracic (chest) service is one of the most highly regarded in the UK. Our dedicated ward has 20 beds.

We work alongside other specialties to provide a full spectrum of surgical treatment for intra-thoracic disease in adults. We also have expertise in uncommon tumours.

We're one of the largest centres in the UK for key hole and robotic thoracic surgery - known as VATS (video assisted thoracic surgery) and RATS (robotic assisted thoracic surgery). The thoracic team is also an integral part of the Trust's major trauma service.

Research is a core function of the department and we collaborate with the University of Southampton, Wellcome Trust and National Institute of Health Research. Our research interests include clinical, translational, basic science and the development of a biobank for benign disease and cancer.

What we do

Our thoracic consultant surgeons undertake a wide range of thoracic operations for different reasons including:

• Diagnostic procedure
• Therapeutic procedure
• Lung cancer treatment
• Surgical removal of benign tumours in the chest
• Lung volume reduction procedures and surgery
• Lung and chest wall trauma
• Rib fixation
• Pneumothorax surgery
• Thymectomy for tumours or myasthenia gravis
• Empyema washouts.

These procedures are carried out via various approaches including:

• Endobronchial (down the airway)
• Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS/keyhole)
• Robotic surgery (keyhole)
• Thoracotomy - open incision
• Sternotomy - through the breastbone

Visiting hours

Visitors are welcome between 3pm and 8pm. Please discuss requests to visit outside of these times with the nurse in charge on the ward.

Contact us

Before surgery - Thoracic surgery nurse case managers

Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Telephone 023 8120 5394

Ward E4

24 hours a day
Telephone 023 8120 6498 or 023 8120 3168

After surgery - Thoracic nurse specialists

Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, and Saturdays 8am till 1pm
Telephone 023 8120 8457

Thoracic secretaries (patient pathway coordinators)

Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Telephone 023 8120 4113 or 023 8120 5104 or 023 81 20 6239