Behind The Knife: The Surgery Podcast Behind the Knife ABSITE 2026 - Thoracic
Jan 1, 2026
Dive into the intricacies of thoracic anatomy as hosts break down lung lobes and lymph node stations. Discover the critical differences between phrenic and vagus nerve positions. Uncover the anatomy of the thoracic duct, along with signs and management of chylothorax. They explore the nuances of spontaneous pneumothorax management and stress rapid responses to tension pneumothorax. Learn about lung cancer screening criteria and the importance of understanding mediastinal tumors. Plus, catch insights on innovative surgical techniques and care strategies!
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Thoracic Duct Course And Landmark
- The thoracic duct originates at the cisterna chyli (L2), crosses from right to left at T5, and empties at the left internal jugular–subclavian junction.
- Remember its location between the "azagoose" (azygous vein) and the esophagus as a surgical landmark.
Preop Pulmonary Function Thresholds
- For lobectomy candidacy aim for FEV1 and DLCO >80% and predicted postoperative values >40%.
- If predicted post-op values are marginal, obtain a V/Q scan to assess functional contribution before proceeding.
Distinguishing Pleural Fluid Types
- Use Light's criteria to distinguish exudate from transudate: pleural/serum protein >0.5 or pleural/serum LDH >0.6 or pleural LDH >2/3 upper normal.
- Empyema appears loculated and heterogeneous on CT, unlike a simple homogeneous effusion.