Historical background 

In the royal medical services, thoracic surgery has been separated from cardiac surgery as an independent specialty in 1987, as in most of the western countries. This separation was obligatory as the scope of this specialty increased rapidly.

With time the team also has been increased and developed both in number and in training to cope with the increasing number of patient and variation of procedures.

In 1993 the division has been separated from general surgery department in term of human resources encouraging new doctors to join the fellowship program, as thoracic surgery division in the RMS is the only authorized division for training at the national level.   

Organizational Structure:

The work in the department is used to be covered two teams

One consultant, one senior specialist, and two specialists for each team.

Systems that covered in the division:

1. Chest wall: includes congenital deformities, benign and malignant tumors of the chest wall and chest wall traumas.
2. Pleural diseases: pleural biopsy, treatment of pneumothorax and pleural effusion.
3. Lungs: Lung biopsies, minor and major lung resections, treatment of bullas diseases.
4. Diaphragm: Diaphragmatic hernias, placation of diaphragm.
5. Mediastinum: thymectomy, resection of benign and malignant mediastinal masses and cysts, Mediastinoscopy diagnostic and staging.
6. Trachea: tracheal dilatation, tracheal resection for benign and malignant tracheal stenosis.
7. Esophageal surgeries: Dilatation, resection of malignant esophageal tumors, myotomies for achalasia.

Technical aspects:

Technically the procedures are divided into three types:

1. Endoscopic.
2. Open procedures.
3. Thoracoscopic procedures

In the last 10 years there was a significant concern to push forward and to improve the experience in thoracoscopic surgery as it improves the outcome of the surgery as it reduces pain and hospital stay as this technique grows rapidly around the word.

Thoracoscopic surgery counts for more than 50% of all surgeries.

Training:

Thoracic surgery team is the only authorized team in Jordan to train fellows in this specialty and recognized by the JMC for board certificate. The fellowship program is a 3 complete years program followed by the board examination in Thoracic surgery by the JMC.