Connecting international experts, enhancing thoracic surgery capacity

The ATA Outreach 2026 program, organized by Bach Mai Hospital in collaboration with the Asian Thoracic Academy (ATA), brought together experts from the United States, France, Morocco, South Korea, India, the Philippines, and Viet Nam.

This event continues the long-standing collaboration and thoracic surgery training maintained by Bach Mai Hospital over many years, while creating opportunities to connect professional expertise across Europe, Asia, and Viet Nam.

Speaking at the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Xuan Co - Director of Bach Mai Hospital emphasized that previous training programs by ATEP and current ones by ATA have contributed to promoting the development of thoracic surgery in many Asian countries.

"Training is not merely conveying knowledge. Training is sharing experience, surgical philosophy, and building long-term capacity together," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Xuan Co shared.

According to the Director of Bach Mai Hospital, with a rich clinical foundation, strengths in multidisciplinary coordination, and an established system for training and scientific research developed over many years, Bach Mai possesses favorable conditions to develop specialized training programs.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Xuan Co - Director of Bach Mai Hospital, and Dr. Ngo Gia Khanh, Head of the Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, congratulated the experts

The hospital aims to become a training partner of ATA in Viet Nam and the region, step by step building a long-term training network that combines theory with practice, enhancing live surgical demonstrations, and fostering experience exchange among surgeons.

Advanced thoracic surgery: from theory to practice

The highlight of the program was in-depth lectures combined with hands-on practice, focusing on minimally invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery techniques.

Dr. Ngo Gia Khanh, Head of the Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at Bach Mai Hospital, stated that one of the core contents was thoracoscopic segmentectomy techniques applied to small lung lesions.

Dr. Ngo Gia Khanh shared modern techniques performed at Bach Mai Hospital

Along with the development of diagnostic imaging, an increasing number of small lung nodules are being detected. This presents a requirement not only to eradicate lesions but also to maximize the preservation of healthy lung parenchyma, maintaining respiratory function and quality of life for patients.

Unlike complete lobectomy, the segmentectomy technique removes only the segment of the lung containing the lesion along with the necessary tissue margin. This is a complex technique requiring surgeons to thoroughly master anatomy and perform precise endoscopic maneuvers.

Notably, within the framework of the program, two live demonstration surgeries were performed. The first case was handled by the Vietnamese team; the second case received support from international experts.

A 56-year-old male patient, with a history of smoking and prior coronary stent placement, was found to have a left lung lesion during a routine health check-up. The doctors performed a lung segmentectomy to manage the lesion.

The second case was a 46-year-old female patient, who was diagnosed with a very small lung lesion displaying malignant characteristics. The patient underwent surgery aimed at preserving lung parenchyma.

According to Dr. Ngo Gia Khanh, international experts highly praised the competence of the Vietnamese team. The two surgical cases also demonstrated the value of early detection and the application of modern techniques to optimize treatment efficacy and preserve respiratory function.

Currently, Bach Mai Hospital is applying single-incision video-assisted thoracic surgery through an incision of approximately 3 cm, instead of multiple incisions used in some previous methods. This technique helps minimize chest wall trauma, reduce pain, and support rapid patient recovery. In favorable cases, patients can be discharged after 3-5 days.

International experts guided trainees in practicing surgery on experimental models during the program

In addition to technical advancements, Dr. Ngo Gia Khanh emphasized the role of early detection of lung lesions. Many small lung nodules, including malignant lesions, may not cause symptoms and are difficult to detect via conventional X-rays. Lesions can also occur in non-smokers, including women. Therefore, people should undergo regular health check-ups, have their risk assessed, and consult doctors regarding the indication for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) when necessary.

Particularly, right at the program, under the direct guidance and instruction of international experts, trainees practiced surgery on experimental models, ranging from instrument handling to managing technical situations. This activity helps trainees not only understand the principles but also step-by-step perfect their skills and enhance confidence when applying them in clinical practice.

From in-depth lectures to live surgical demonstrations, ATA Outreach 2026 is not only an opportunity to update knowledge but also contributes to applying advanced techniques into practice, enhancing Viet Nam's thoracic surgery capacity, aiming toward the ultimate goal: More effective, less invasive treatment and maximum functional preservation for patients.

Nguyen Ha - The Anh