Volume 65, Issue 6, June 2024

Rib fractures are a common component of hospital trauma calls, comprising ∼40% of thoracic trauma cases [1] and 10% of overall blunt trauma cases [2].

Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer-related death worldwide and in >60% of all cases, the diagnosis is made in an advanced stage of the disease [1–3].

Benign stenoses of the subglottic airway are rare and their aetiology is heterogeneous.

Minimally invasive surgery and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs have radically revolutionized recovery after anatomical lung resection, contributing to decreased postoperative morbidity, enhanced quality of life and reduced hospital length of stay (LOS) [1–3].

Although the incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma has increased rapidly over the past few decades in some developed countries, oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains the most prevalent histologic subtype worldwide [1].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, debilitating lung condition leading to decreased life expectancy, health-related quality of life (QoL) and adverse patient-reported outcomes [1].

Heterotaxy syndrome is a rare disorder of abnormal laterality of body organs [1, 2].

Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a severe disease, affecting 2 in 100 000 live births, that invariably requires surgical arch reconstruction in the neonatal period to prevent a fatal outcome [1].

Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) with complete tracheal rings usually requires medical treatment; this life-threatening condition is not rare, especially among symptomatic small children [1].

Secondary alterations in the valvular and subvalvular apparatus of the tricuspid valve are recognized as the patho-mechanisms of functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) [1].

With the significant improvement in survival of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) to adolescence and adulthood [1], CHD is an increasingly frequent indication for advanced heart failure therapies [2].

Lung transplantation remains the definitive and best treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease [1].

Treatment options for patients with thoracic aortic pathology involving the aortic arch has broadened substantially over the last decades.

Aortic graft infection (AGI) is a rare but serious complication after aortic surgery.

Thoracic aortic calcifications (TAC) are a common finding in chest computed tomography (CT) scans.

Aneurysms of the thoraco-abdominal aorta represent a clinically significant condition with a notable risk of morbidity and mortality in the medical and surgical field.

Aortic aneurysm (AA) is a life-threatening disease characterized by progressive weakening and dilatation of the aortic wall.

The surgical management of aortic arch disease is evolving.

The pathophysiology of an acute intramural haematoma (IMH) was originally proposed to be caused by the rupture of the vasa vasorum [1–3].

Large parts of the world have still no access to life-saving heart surgery [1–5].

Graft patency is the mechanism of the clinical benefits seen with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); however, rates of graft failure have been reported as high as 20–30% 1 year after CABG [1, 2].

Mitral valve disease remains the most frequent valvular heart disease [1–3].

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is a routinely performed procedure to treat different pathologies of the aortic valve, including aortic valve stenosis, aortic valve regurgitation or a combination of both stenosis and regurgitation.