SMBB Institute of Trauma is the only facility that provides the full range of thoracic services to trauma patients. The thoracic surgery department is still in inception, and more recently, COVID-19 has attracted employers' attention. Thoracic surgery is most needed in a trauma setting, as chest injuries are prevalent. However, there is a firm promise and commitment to open a separate thoracic surgical ward for dedicated patient care.
The service is being provided with a skilled team. At present other than consultant, an additional thoracic surgeon and two medical officers constitute the team. Interns and surgical fellowship trainees come on rotation from Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) from time to time. Other than trauma, general thoracic cases of all sorts are admitted and treated. Regular onsultations are provided to Trauma & I.C.U.s of CHK and all other departments of CHK, which until now did not have this service.
Fiber optic diagnostic bronchoscopy, image-guided interventions, and video-assisted thoracic procedures are performed. The aim is to make this unit a teaching and training facility recognized by CPSP for thoracic surgery, once fully established.