Cardiothoracic Surgery

Catalog description

This rotation is recommended for students interested in cardiothoracic and general surgery. Students not going into surgery will be allowed on the rotation at the discretion of the course director and student rotation coordinator. ROTATION SYLLABUS Responsibilities of the students will be that of an acting intern, functioning as integral part of the resident team. Participate in all surgical cases. Participate in cardiothoracic clinic weekly (each Friday) Take call in accordance with other acting internship rotations (1 week per month) Active participation in small round table didactic discussions on basic cardiothoracic disease problems with our team. Goals: To understand the etiology, epidemiology, and treatment of cardiovascular and thoracic diseases. Develop a working knowledge of cardiovascular risk assessment. To learn the elements of and to perform a complete cardiothoracic and vascular history and physical examination. To be familiar with basic hemodynamics and management of postoperative cardiac surgery patients. To understand the appropriate indications for surgery in patients with cardiothoracic and vascular diseases and the appropriate treatment options. To understand basic cardiothoracic and vascular surgical techniques: thoracotomy, median sternotomy, thoracoscopic surgery, exposure of blood vessels, suturing of blood vessels, vein harvesting, wound approximation. Objectives: Student will participate in open and thoracoscopic procedures. Student will be assigned patients in the clinic and hospital.