2011 July - December - nuhcs

Division of Thoracic Surgery:The New DivisionDr John TamwithinNUHCSThoracic Surgery is a specialty dedicatedto the surgical management of diseases ofthe lung, pleura, mediastinum, diaphragm,and chest wall. There are a wide spectrumof diseases involving these importantstructures, including malignancies such aslung cancer and mediastinal tumors, andbenign conditions such as empyema orhemo-pneumothorax. These conditionsusually require urgent surgical attentionfor diagnosis and treatment. Patientsseeking thoracic surgical care is on the risein Singapore and internationally, driven byan aging population and increasing demandfor sophisticated medical care.The care of the thoracic surgical patientrequires a multi-disciplinary approach,integrating specialists in thoracic surgery,respiratory medicine, medical oncology,radiation oncology, critical care medicine,radiology, and pathology. This core clusterof specialists is discipline-specific and is distinctive to thoracicsurgery as compared to other specialties. We have formed a verycohesive group of specialist colleagues within the lung tumor groupto ensure our patients receive the best care.Thoracic surgery is increasingly recognized as a distinctspecialty in clinical practice, with a strong focus on thoracicsurgical oncology as well as benign diseases within the thorax.Technical and technological advances also bring the advent ofminimally invasive approaches using Video-Assisted ThoracicSurgery (VATS), which leads to further specialization in this field.VATS offers many advantages to patients including fast recoveryand less pain, and is very popular among patients who are seekingthoracic consultation. In our current practice, more than 80% ofour surgeries are performed using VATS.The Division of Thoracic Surgery is established to bring ourservices to the next peak of excellence. This development ismade possible by the strong support of Professor Lee ChuenNeng, Chief of the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and VascularSurgery; A/Professor Tan Huay Cheem, director of NUHCS;senior management including CMB A/Professor Aymeric Limand CEO Mr Joe Sim; and all our colleagueswithin NUH.We aim to create a center of excellencein Thoracic Surgery serving patients inSingapore and beyond. The formation ofthis Division forges a strong identity ofthoracic surgery within NUH and affirmsits status as a mature and distinct specialty.We strive to improve outcomes, createinnovations, and streamline processes. Thisallows strong integration and synergy of thetripartite mission of service, innovation,and education.I am honored and humbled to beappointed as the Head of the Divisionof Thoracic Surgery. Our division alsocomprised of Dr Agasthian Thirugnanam,who recently joined us and brings withhim extensive knowledge and experiencesin thoracic surgery; and Dr Atasha Asmat,who will soon be completing her fellowshipsin New York and Liverpool and will return with new skills andtechnologies. Prof CN Lee, Adj A/P Michael Caleb, A/P TheodorosKofidis, Dr Christie Tan, Dr Kristine Teoh, Dr Ooi Oon Cheong,Dr Jimmy Hon, and Dr Winn Maung Aye also provide thoracicsurgery service. We are assisted by many capable housestaff andsupport staff, including our case management officer Dr VijayaKumar, research assistant Mr Lim Kee Siang, and many friendlyoffice staff within the department.We have recently started a new Singapore Medical Councilapproved clinical fellowship program in Thoracic Surgery, andwill help to develop the next generation of thoracic surgeons fromaround the world. We are also organizing an international VATSworkshop in November 2011, and will be hosting internationalfaculty speakers and participants to promote advanced minimallyinvasive thoracic surgery.Everyone within the Division of Thoracic Surgery is committedto deliver excellent patient care and to collectively propel thisspecialty to new heights through the process of discovery andinnovation. This is truly an exciting time for thoracic surgery inSingapore.NUHCS PULSE | 20