Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery in Japan during 2013

The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery has conducted annual surveys of thoracic surgery throughout Japan since 1986 to determine the statistics regarding the number of procedures according to operative category. Here, we have summarized the results from our annual survey of thoracic surgery performed during 2013. The incidence of hospital mortality was added to the survey to determine the nationwide status, which has contributed to the Japanese surgeons to understand the present status of thoracic surgery in Japan and to make progress to improve operative results by comparing their work with those of others. The Association was able to gain a better understanding of present problems as well as future prospects, which has been reflected to its activity including education of its members. Thirty-day mortality (so called ‘‘operative mortality’’) is defined as death within 30 days of operation regardless of the patient’s geographic location and even though the patient had been discharged from the hospital. Hospital mortality is defined as death within any time interval after an operation if the patient had not been discharged from the hospital. Hospital-to-hospital transfer is not considered discharge: transfer to a nursing home or a rehabilitation unit is considered hospital discharge unless the patient subsequently dies of complications of the Annual report by The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery: Committee for Scientific Affair.