Treatment Process in Thoracic Surgery
We understand that both an illness and an upcoming operation can be associated with fears and concerns. On this page, we would like to explain the organizational process of a thoracic surgery operation in more detail. We hope that this information can alleviate some of your uncertainty. Please also note that a senior physician and an experienced resident physician from the Department of Thoracic Surgery are available at all times. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions regarding your operation.
Before the Operation
Admission Referral
For a planned inpatient admission, you generally need a referral. Please bring all existing examination findings related to your current illness, significant pre-existing conditions (e.g., cardiovascular diseases), and/or previous operations. It is also important for us to know which medications you take regularly. We therefore ask you to bring a written list of these. If you are unsure, you can ask your family doctor for assistance.
Admission
On the day of admission, you are requested to report to the central admissions desk in the entrance area no earlier than 7:45 AM. After all admission formalities are completed, please proceed to the Thoracic Outpatient Clinic. Starting at 8:00 AM, our staff at the Thoracic Outpatient Clinic will welcome you and explain the further procedure.
Admission Examination (Screening)
Routine examinations (blood test, electrocardiogram, lung function test, chest X-ray) are performed on every patient, and a screening report is prepared. These measures serve both for surgical preparation and for preventing infection among other patients. Depending on your health status, further examinations may be necessary.
Admission Interview
The ward physician will conduct an admission interview with you and inform you about your screening results. Subsequently, they will explain the planned operation or the further course of your inpatient stay.
Anesthesia
An experienced anesthesiologist will discuss the anesthesia options and specific pain management after the operation with you. To ensure an optimal postoperative course, you will be instructed in various breathing and coughing techniques, as well as the use of simple assistive devices, on the day of admission.
Day of Operation
On the day of the operation, you will receive preparatory medication precisely tailored to your personal condition. At the optimal time, you will be met by your anesthesia nurse in the operating room sluice and taken to the anesthesia preparation room. There, you will be prepared for general anesthesia after your fitness for anesthesia has been determined. Once you are safely and comfortably asleep, you will be transported to the operating room. During the operation, which will be performed as planned by experienced physicians, your condition will be continuously monitored.
After the Operation
Recovery Phase
After the operation, you will be transferred to the recovery room until the effects of the general anesthesia have worn off. During the recovery phase, you will be carefully monitored by our trained nursing staff.
Transfer to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
After waking up, you will be taken to our modern 12-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where you will receive intensive monitoring and care after the operation. The Intensive Care Unit is staffed by physicians 24 hours a day. We ensure optimal postoperative care through state-of-the-art equipment.
We offer all ventilation procedures, including extracorporeal oxygenation (ECMO/ILA active and ILA passive), as well as all organ replacement procedures (hemodialysis, hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration). These are expertly operated by our experienced specialists.
Every day, a morning ward round is conducted at 7:00 AM by the Chief Physician of the Department of Thoracic Surgery together with the Chief Physician of the Department of Anesthesiology. Two further joint ward rounds take place at 8:15 AM and 4:30 PM with our thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, and anesthesiologists.
Intermediate Care (IMC)
Since 2011, our clinic has operated a specialized, thoracic surgery monitoring unit with 8 beds. Here, we have the opportunity to care for freshly postoperative or critical patients who do not require transfer to the intensive care unit but are also not yet stable enough for the general ward. Our thoracic surgery physicians and our specially trained staff have many years of experience in caring for these patients.
Daily Routine on Wards 9, 10, 11
From 6:00 AM: Wake-up and nursing care
From 7:45 AM: Start of daily medical rounds
From 8:00 AM: Breakfast served in the room
Mornings: Diagnostic examinations (X-ray, ECG, lab, lung function tests)
From 12:00 PM: Lunch with menu selection on the ward
At 10:00 AM: Breathing exercises with our physiotherapists
From 1:00 PM: Nursing handover at the bedside
From 3:00 PM: Coffee and tea are served
From 4:30 PM: Start of nursing rounds
From 6:00 PM: Dinner on the ward
Evenings/Nights: Care by the evening and night shifts
You can discuss all other planned activities for the day with the nursing staff.
Daily Routine on the Intermediate Care Unit
Daily Routine in the Intensive Care Unit
This post is also available in:
