2 April, 2024
barnaclínic+ expands its portfolio of services in thoracic surgery
Thoracis surgery is one of the fundamental pillars in the comprehensive care of patients with lung and thoracic conditions. This service at barnaclínic+ is distinguished by its multidisciplinary approach, its commitment to clinical excellence and its ability to offer innovative solutions to patients with a wide range of respiratory diseases and disorders. In line with this commitment, new professionals have recently joined this service, allowing the services offered in this field of medicine to be further expanded.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ROBOTIC SURGERY
One of the most notable aspects within the field of thoracis surgery is the growing role of robotic technology. Robotic surgery has radically transformed the way complex thoracic diseases are approached, allowing surgeons to perform procedures with unprecedented precision and minimising trauma for patients.
In this way, barnaclínic+ has incorporated new professionals to its staff who are international leaders in robotic surgery: Dr Ricard Ramos, who is also Head of the Thoracic Surgery Service at Clínic Barcelona, researcher at IDIBAPS and professor at the University of Barcelona, and Dr Anna Ureña, senior specialist in thoracic surgery at the Clínic and also an associate professor at the University of Barcelona. Dr Irene Bello, senior specialist thoracic surgeon at the Clínic, has also joined barnaclínic+.
“Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive approach, superior in technology to video-thoracoscopic surgery or VATS”
Dr Ricard Ramos, Head of the Thoracic Surgery Service at Clínic Barcelona and thoracic surgeon at barnaclínic+
“Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive approach, superior in technology to video-thoracoscopic surgery or VATS,” explains Dr Ramos. “The purpose of this surgery does not change, but it does offer certain improvements for both the patient and the professional,” adds Dr Ureña.
Through advanced robotic systems, surgeons have access to high-definition three-dimensional vision and articulated instruments that can manoeuvre with exceptional dexterity in delicate anatomical spaces. “Robotic thoracic surgery also has certain advantages for the patient, such as making smaller incisions, causing less damage to tissues, less pain, less bleeding and less risk of infection, also accelerating recovery,” adds Dr Ureña.
“Robotic thoracic surgery also has certain advantages for the patient, such as making smaller incisions, causing less damage to tissues, less pain, less bleeding and less risk of infection, also accelerating recovery”
Dr Anna Ureña, senior specialist in thoracic surgery at the Clínic and thoracic surgeon at barnaclínic+
Robotic thoracic surgery has not only improved surgical outcomes—reducing the risk of complications and shortening recovery times—but has also expanded the scope of what is considered possible in the treatment of thoracic diseases, including the resection of lung tumours, the correction of oesophageal disorders and the repair of congenital malformations, among other procedures.
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APPLICATION OF THORACIC SURGERY IN LUNG CANCER
Within the broad spectrum of thoracic diseases, lung cancer occupies a prominent place in terms of prevalence and severity. In this context, thoracic surgery, with its multidisciplinary approach and advanced technologies, plays a crucial role in the fight against this disease. “Right now, we can say that with surgical treatment it is possible to cure lung cancer. It has to be a small tumour, without nodes, but surgical treatment is the one that gives the best results, with survival greater than 80% depending on its stage” explains Dr Ramos.
“Right now, we can say that with surgical treatment it is possible to cure lung cancer. It has to be a small tumour, without nodes, but surgical treatment is the one that gives the best results, with survival greater than 80% depending on its stage”
Dr Ricard Ramos, Head of the Thoracic Surgery Service at Clínic Barcelona and thoracic surgeon at barnaclínic+
“Early diagnosis of lung cancer is very important, since patient survival improves greatly when the disease is in its initial stages,” highlights Dr Bello, who also explains how currently, thanks to innovations in oncology and the development of neoadjuvant treatments with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and, above all, immunotherapy, it is now possible to operate on patients also in more advanced stages of the disease.
OTHER THORACIC SURGERY SERVICES
Although lung cancer is one of the most important pathologies, it is not the only one that is treated with thoracic surgery. Thus, for example, in barnaclínic+ thoracic surgery we can offer a surgical solution to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with mediastinal pathology, malignant pleural pathology, pulmonary nodules or hyperhidrosis, among others.
Thoracic surgery to treat pneumothorax
Thoracic surgery is also an effective treatment for managing pneumothorax, a medical condition in which air builds up between the chest wall and the lungs. Normally, the space between the chest wall and the lungs is filled with a small amount of fluid that helps the lungs expand and contract during breathing. However, when a pneumothorax occurs, air enters this space, creating pressure on the lungs and causing them to partially or completely collapse.
There are two main types of pneumothoraxes: spontaneous pneumothorax and traumatic pneumothorax. Spontaneous pneumothorax can occur without an obvious cause in people with no history of previous lung disease and can be subdivided into primary spontaneous pneumothorax (occurs in the absence of underlying lung diseases) and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (occurs as a complication of an underlying lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or tuberculosis). On the other hand, traumatic pneumothorax is the result of an injury to the chest, such as blunt force trauma or a penetrating wound.
“The treatment of pneumothorax is placement of a pleural drain. We must carry out some further action in primary spontaneous pneumothoraxes, when it is the second episode, or in high-risk professions, such as divers or mountaineers, who have had a pneumothorax, or in patients who have had a pneumothorax with such a leak. It is important that a lot of air accumulates inside the thorax and this causes the mediastinum, the heart and the great vessels to move to the other side, creating hemodynamic instability,” explains Dr Ureña.
Thoracic surgery to treat myasthenia gravis
Another pathology that can be treated in the barnaclínic+ thoracic surgery service is myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects communication between nerves and muscles. In this condition, the immune system produces antibodies that attack and weaken the acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, hindering the muscles’ ability to contract properly. “This causes muscle weakness and excessive fatigue. In some cases, to treat these symptoms, a thymectomy can be performed, which consists of removing the thymus,” says Dr Ureña.
Thoracic surgery to correct chest deformities
Pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum are common thoracic deformities, characterised by a sinking of the sternum into the chest, in the first case, or its projection outwards, in the second. Although in many cases they do not cause significant symptoms, some people may experience insecurity or physical discomfort due to the appearance of their breast. As Dr Bello states: “In situations in which pectus excavatum generates a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life, whether for aesthetic reasons or real physical discomfort, surgery to correct the chest wall can be considered.”
Dra. Irene Bello, senior specialist thoracic surgeon at the Clínic, and thoracic surgeon at barnaclínic+
This surgical intervention aims to correct the deformity and improve both the appearance and functionality of the chest, giving the patient greater confidence and well-being in their daily life. However, the decision to undergo this surgery must be carefully evaluated by a medical team, considering the individual risks and benefits for each patient.