Thoracic Surgery Rehabilitation
Thoracic surgery rehabilitation continues to evolve through innovative clinical research that improves patient recovery, reduces postoperative complications and enhances functional outcomes. The Thoracic Surgery Unit of the SS. Annunziata Hospital, ASL Taranto, has gained national recognition for its scientific contributions, presenting research on NeuroMuscular Taping and minimally invasive thoracic surgery at the National Congress of the Italian Society of Thoracic Surgery (SICT). These studies demonstrate a strong commitment to evidence-based, patient-centred rehabilitation and surgical innovation.
Introduction
The integration of surgery and rehabilitation has become an essential component of modern thoracic care. Thoracic surgery rehabilitation extends beyond the operating room, focusing on pain control, respiratory function, early mobilization and functional recovery to improve both short- and long-term patient outcomes. Advances in multidisciplinary rehabilitation are enabling healthcare teams to reduce complications while enhancing quality of life following pulmonary and thoracic surgical procedures.
Furthermore, the Thoracic Surgery Unit of the SS. Annunziata Hospital, ASL Taranto, has strengthened its national reputation by presenting innovative research at the 39th National Congress of the Italian Society of Thoracic Surgery (SICT). The team’s work highlighted the role of NeuroMuscular Taping in reducing postoperative pain and supporting respiratory recovery, alongside advances in minimally invasive surgery for pulmonary lesions.
Together, these projects demonstrate how evidence-based rehabilitation and surgical innovation can work in partnership to deliver safer procedures, faster recovery and more patient-centred thoracic care.The Thoracic Surgery Unit of the SS. Annunziata Hospital in Taranto has achieved significant national recognition following its participation in the 39th National Congress of the Italian Society of Thoracic Surgery (SICT), held in Milan at the beginning of October. During the congress, the Taranto team distinguished itself by presenting two innovative clinical studies and a forward-looking organizational project, confirming its growing role within the national thoracic surgery landscape.
Innovation in Thoracic Surgery Rehabilitation
During the scientific sessions, the Taranto surgical team presented the results of two important studies aimed at improving patient outcomes and enhancing postoperative recovery.
Conference Title: Single-blind, randomized, controlled, single-center prospective study on the effect of taping on postoperative pain and respiratory function in pulmonary thoracic surgery. Presented by M. Valentini. This first study explored the effectiveness of NeuroMuscular Taping in reducing postoperative pain following thoracic surgery. The findings highlighted the potential benefits of this non-invasive technique in improving patient comfort, facilitating recovery, and reducing reliance on pharmacological pain management.
The second study focused on minimally invasive surgical treatment for subsolid pulmonary neoplastic lesions. By using advanced localization tracers, surgeons were able to precisely identify and treat small or difficult-to-detect lung lesions, allowing for more targeted interventions, reduced surgical trauma, and improved preservation of healthy lung tissue.
Both research initiatives place the patient at the center of the treatment pathway, with the shared goal of minimizing the physical and psychological burden of disease while improving surgical effectiveness and postoperative management.
Organizational Innovation to Improve Access to Care
Patient-centered care is also the guiding principle behind an organizational project developed in collaboration with the ASL Taranto Health Directorate. Presented during the congress, the initiative focuses on optimizing operating room efficiency and decentralizing surgical activity.
The model involves deploying the thoracic surgery team to spoke hospitals across the province, enabling patients to receive necessary surgical treatments closer to home. This approach expands healthcare accessibility, reduces waiting times, and strengthens the overall surgical network across the territory, ensuring more equitable access to specialized care.
The Role of Training and Scientific Societies
The congress also provided an opportunity to address the importance of professional training in modern surgery. Dr. Marco Taurchini, Director of the Thoracic Surgery Unit of ASL Taranto, Treasurer of SICT, certified proctor in robotic surgery, and contributor to the educational programs of the Italian Association of Hospital Surgeons (ACOI), delivered a presentation highlighting the educational role of scientific societies.
His contribution emphasized how structured training programs and continuous professional development are essential to ensuring that future generations of surgeons achieve high standards of knowledge, technical skill, and clinical competence.
Improving Postoperative Pain and Respiratory Function
Established in March 2022, the Thoracic Surgery Unit of SS. Annunziata has rapidly achieved significant clinical milestones. Approximately 600 lung cancer cases have been surgically treated thanks to the coordinated work of a multidisciplinary team composed of four senior surgeons, supported by a Medical Officer from the Italian Navy, and the Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Group coordinated by Dr. Salvatore Pisconti, Director of Oncology at ASL Taranto.
Lung cancer surgery accounts for around 50% of the unit’s total surgical activity. In addition, the team manages other thoracic oncological conditions, including thymic and pleural tumors, as well as traumatic thoracic pathologies.
Through continuous training, research activity, and strong interprofessional collaboration, the Taranto Thoracic Surgery Unit has become a reference center for the wider region. A collaboration agreement with ASL Brindisi has also led to the establishment of a dedicated Lung Unit, bringing together specialists focused on the management and treatment of lung cancer patients from the Brindisi area.
Commitment to Excellence and Future Initiatives
“When I was appointed director, I committed to building a center of excellence recognized at the national level,” stated Dr. Taurchini. “Thanks to the support of the strategic management and all the professionals involved, we have achieved this goal. Continuous education remains essential, allowing us to provide care that is constantly updated and aligned with technological progress.”
In line with this vision, two major scientific meetings are currently being organized. The first, scheduled for November in collaboration with the University General Surgery Department of the University of Bari, will focus on border-line surgical fields in the era of minimally invasive and robotic technologies. The second, planned for December, will address transdisciplinary approaches to lung cancer, involving all professionals from Taranto and Brindisi engaged in patient management and treatment.
Future Perspectives for Thoracic Rehabilitation
Vito Gregorio Colacicco, Extraordinary Commissioner of ASL Taranto, emphasized the broader significance of these achievements: “Our territory can now rely on an additional center of excellence serving the community. The combination of expertise, innovation, and professional collaboration makes this unit a reference point that extends beyond provincial boundaries, offering citizens increasingly comprehensive healthcare services.”
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