Comprehensive Prerequisite Thoracic Surgery Curriculum

Each listing below represents a section of the Comprehensive Prerequistie Thoracic Surgery Curriculum. By navigating through a link, you will call up a multimedia presentation covering the topic listed. Each presentation is approximately 20 minutes in length; you can navigate forward and back through the presentation, if you would like.

Table of Contents (click on a Major Heading to compact it's listing)

  1. Normal Thoracic Anatomy
    1. Chest Wall
    2. Mediastinum
    3. Tracheobronchial Tree
    4. Esophagus
    5. Heart & Pericardium
    6. Great Vessels
  2. Normal Thoracic Physiology
    1. Adult Cardiac
    2. Pediatric Cardiac
    3. Esophageal
    4. Pulmonary
    5. Chest Wall & Diaphragm
  3. Adult Cardiac Diagnostic Studies
    1. Electrocardiography
    2. Echocardiography
    3. Diagnostic Catheterization
    4. Diagnostic Angiography
    5. Postitron Emission Tomography (PET)
    6. Cardiac Nuclear Studies
  4. Pediatric Cardiology Diagnosis
    1. Electrocardiography
    2. Echocardiography
    3. Diagnostic Catheterization
    4. Diagnostic Angiography
    5. Pediatrics Transesophageal Echocardiogram
  5. Thoracic Imaging Studies
    1. Chest X-rays
    2. Computed Tomography (CT)
    3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
    4. Barium Contrast Studies
  6. Thoracic Functional Studies
    1. Pulmonary Spirometry and Diffusion
    2. Evaluation of Benign Esophageal Disease
    3. Pulmonary Nuclear Studies
    4. Positron Emission Tomoography (PET)
  7. Thoracic Anesthesia
    1. Monitoring & Anesthesia Technology
    2. Single Lung Isolation Strategies
    3. Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia
    4. Perioperative Analgesia & Sedation
    5. Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography
  1. Thoracic Critical Care
    1. Perioperative Arrythmias & Bleeding
    2. Perioperative Low Cardiac Output
    3. Perioperative Transfusion Therapy
    4. Perioperative Nutrition
    5. Severe Respiratory Failure
    6. Perioperative Pharmacology
    7. Pediatric Critical Care
  2. Fundamentals of Thoracic Endoscopy
    1. Laryngoscopy & Intubation
    2. Tracheobronchoscopy
    3. Esophagoscopy
    4. Thoracoscopy
  3. Surgical Instrumentation and Basic Technique
    1. Patient Postioning
    2. Thoracic Incisions
    3. Thoracic Drainage
    4. Pacers & Defibrillators
    5. Thoracic Reoperations
    6. Neonatal Surgical Emergencies
  4. Cardiopulmonary Bypass Techniques
    1. Anticoagulation & Hemostasis
    2. Pumps & Oxygenators
    3. Myocardial Protection
    4. Neurologic Protection
    5. Pediatrics & Circulatory Arrest
    6. IABP
    7. LVAD
    8. Physiology of Cardiopulmonary Bypass
  5. Research Methodology & Professional Information
    1. Critical Lit Review Techniques
    2. Literature Search Techniques
    3. Breakthrough Statistical Approaches
    4. Interpretation of Non-fatal Events after Cardiac Surgery
    5. Key Thoracic Predictors
    6. Key Cardiac Measures & Staging
    7. Computer/Internet Basics
  6. Academics, Ethics & Professionalism
    1. National Societies & Resources
    2. National Meetings & Courses
    3. Residency & Board Requirements
    4. Palliative Care & Advanced Directives
    5. Thoracic Surgery & the Law