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Confronting the open chest – Samuel J. Meltzer and the first AATS annual meeting

In retrospect, the founding of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) in 1917 may seem surprisingly optimistic, given the status of cardiothoracic surgery as a discipline at that time. While important strides had been made in dealing with open chest wounds, to the modern eye, the field in the second decade of the 20th century seems more characterized by what was not yet possible rather than by what was.

One of the most critical issues holding back the development of cardiothoracic surgery in this early period was the problem of acute pneumothorax that occurred whenever the chest was opened.

As Willy Meyer (1858-1932), second president of the AATS, described…

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Resources

CTSNet

CTSNet's organizational vision is to "Leverage Internet connectivity to facilitate communication, collaboration, education, and interaction amongst cardiothoracic surgeons and their teams across the globe."

Project Open Hearts

We work with foreign medical staff to provide first-hand surgical training, assistance with diagnostic procedures and consultations, support for orphaned children and needy families, and on-going exchange of knowledge to continue the education process.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Founded in 1964, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 7,200 surgeons, researchers, and allied health care professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung, and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest.

Thoracic Surgery Directors Association

Provide a forum for the interchange of ideas and information relating to the education and training of thoracic surgery residents and fellows...

Thoracic Surgery Foundation.

To foster the development of surgeon scientists in cardiothoracic surgery; increasing knowledge and innovation to benefit patient care.

Women in Thoracic Surgery

Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS) was founded in 1986 with a mission to enhance the quality of medical care given to patients of its members, to mentor young women thoracic surgeons, to enhance the education of patients about heart and lung diseases and to enhance educational opportunities for women thoracic surgeons.

International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery

The International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery was formed to organize and centralize the various surgical centers concerned with patient outcomes, techniques, and progessive development of less invasive forms of heart surgery.

American Association for Thoracic Surgery

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) is an international organization consisting of the world’s foremost cardiothoracic surgeons. The mission of the AATS is to promote scholarship in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

The primary purpose and most essential function of the Board is to protect the public by establishing and maintaining high standards in thoracic surgery. To achieve these objectives, the Board has established qualifications for examination and procedures for certification and Maintenance of Certification. The requirements and procedures are reviewed regularly and modified as necessary.

Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons

To promote excellence in thoracic surgical care, maintain the highest standard of practice, foster advances through research and disseminate knowledge through continuing education.

European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

The mission of the Association is to advance education in the field of cardiac, thoracic and vascular interventions; and promote research into cardiovascular and thoracic physiology, pathology and therapy, with the aim to correlate and disseminate the results for the public benefit.

European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery

The primary aim of The European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EBCTS) is to encourage common high standards and qualifications in cardiothoracic surgery in all European countries and beyond. This should potentially allow for the mutual recognition of these qualifications between European countries and elsewhere.

European Society of Thoracic Surgeons

The European Society of Thoracic Surgeons joins together more than 1.200 members coming from 70 different countries all over the world. Every year since 1993, a European Conference on General Thoracic Surgery is celebrated, achieving a high quality scientific content. In the latest years, several educational courses and the School of Thoracic Surgery are gaining special prominence.

Scandinavian Association for Thoracic Surgery

The overall purpose of the association is the advancement of thoracic surgery in the Scandinavian countries. The association shall hold scientific meetings and support research and education.

Western Thoracic Surgical Association

The purposes of the Association shall be: To succeed to, and to continue to carry on, the activities formerly conducted by The Samson Thoracic Surgical Society, a corporation. To associate persons residing in the western United States and Canada who desire to advance the quality and practice of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery as a specialty. To encourage research and study of thoracic and cardiovascular functions and disorders so as to increase knowledge and improve treatment. To hold scientific meetings for the presentation and discussion of topics of interest to thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons and to encourage publication to these proceedings.