Critical care of the thoracic surgical patient

Patients having major general thoracic surgery constitute an integral part of any cardiothoracic intensive care unit. Pulmonary or esophageal resection especially in a patient who has cardiopulmonary issues at baseline demands close monitoring by a critical care team postoperatively. This chapter aims to cover the important aspects of the perioperative care involved with these patients. In addition, procedures requiring an intensive care unit postoeratively such as, pneumonectomy, esophagectomy, thymectomy are dealt with in some detail where key technical aspects and care and complications specific to each are discussed.