Our Summary

The Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA) is a group run by residents, or doctors in training, who are specializing in heart and chest surgery. The TSRA was started in 1997 to help these trainee doctors with their education and to represent their interests.

This paper is looking at what the TSRA has done in the past, what it’s doing right now, and what it plans to do in the future. The authors of the paper looked at all the educational resources the TSRA has created and talked to the people in charge of the TSRA to find out about its current and future plans.

Since 2011, the TSRA has made a lot of study materials for trainee surgeons, including textbooks, guides, test prep books, and a bank of multiple-choice questions that can be accessed on a mobile app. All of these materials were written and made by the trainee surgeons themselves. They’ve also made 108 podcast episodes, which have been listened to over 175,000 times.

More recently, the TSRA has been helping trainee surgeons submit their work to a publication called Young Surgeon’s Notes, started a program to connect trainees with mentors, and began publishing a monthly newsletter. They’ve also been using social media, like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to share educational resources and opportunities.

The authors conclude that the TSRA is the top organization for heart and chest surgery trainees in North America. In the future, they plan to create a resource that covers all diseases in their specialty and to work with other groups to provide more educational and career development opportunities for trainees.

FAQs

  1. What is the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA) and when was it established?
  2. What educational resources and contributions has the TSRA provided for cardiothoracic surgery trainees since 2011?
  3. What are the future plans and goals of the TSRA for the development of cardiothoracic trainees?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about thoracic surgery is to follow all pre-operative instructions provided by the surgical team. This may include fasting before surgery, stopping certain medications, and following any specific dietary or lifestyle recommendations. Following these instructions can help ensure a successful surgery and smooth recovery process.

Suitable For

Patients who may be recommended for thoracic surgery include those with conditions such as lung cancer, esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumors, chest wall tumors, pleural diseases, thoracic outlet syndrome, hyperhidrosis, and certain congenital heart defects. Thoracic surgery may also be recommended for patients with severe lung infections or empyema, as well as those requiring lung transplantation or esophageal surgery. It is important for patients to consult with their healthcare provider to determine if thoracic surgery is the most appropriate treatment option for their specific condition.

Timeline

Before thoracic surgery:

  1. Patient consultation with a thoracic surgeon to discuss the need for surgery, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
  2. Preoperative testing such as blood work, imaging, and lung function tests.
  3. Preoperative appointments with other healthcare providers such as anesthesiologists, pulmonologists, and cardiologists.
  4. Instructions to follow before surgery such as fasting and medication adjustments.

After thoracic surgery:

  1. Immediate recovery in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) to monitor vital signs and pain control.
  2. Transfer to a hospital room for further monitoring and recovery.
  3. Physical therapy and breathing exercises to improve lung function and prevent complications.
  4. Pain management to ensure comfort during the recovery process.
  5. Discharge planning and follow-up appointments with the surgical team for wound care and monitoring of progress.
  6. Rehabilitation and recovery at home with instructions for activity restrictions and self-care.
  7. Long-term follow-up appointments to monitor healing, address any complications, and assess overall health and well-being.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What type of thoracic surgery procedure do you recommend for my condition?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with the surgery?
  3. How long is the recovery process expected to be?
  4. Will I need any additional treatments or therapies after the surgery?
  5. What is your experience and success rate with this type of surgery?
  6. Are there any alternative treatment options available for my condition?
  7. How long will I need to stay in the hospital after the surgery?
  8. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery?
  9. How can I best prepare for the surgery in terms of lifestyle changes or medications?
  10. What kind of follow-up care will be necessary after the surgery?

Reference

Authors: Brescia AA, Lou X, Louis C, Blitzer D, Coyan GN, Han JJ, Watson JJ, Mehaffey JH; Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA). Journal: J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2021 Sep;162(3):917-927.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2020.08.086. Epub 2020 Aug 31. PMID: 33051070