What is a thoracic surgeon? A thoracic surgeon is a medical
doctor who specializes in surgery on the heart, lungs,
esophagus, and other organs in the chest (thorax). Thoracic
surgeons may also be referred to as cardiothoracic surgeons,
cardiovascular surgeons, general thoracic surgeons or congenital
heart surgeons (pediatric). Cardiac surgeons, or cardiovascular
surgeons, operate on the heart and its vessels. Congenital heart
surgeons treat infants and children with heart disease, such as
holes between the heart chambers. A patient is typically
referred to a thoracic surgeon by a primary care physician,
cardiologist, pulmonologist or gastroenterologist.What kind of
training is required to become a thoracic surgeon? Thoracic
surgeons complete four years of medical school and typically a
five-year general surgery residency, followed by 2-3 years in an
approved cardiothoracic surgery residency program. Thoracic
surgeons may choose to receive additional training in a sub-
specialty such as congenital heart surgery