[Development of thoracic surgery over the next 20 years].

Thoracic surgery is one of the self-contained surgical disciplines with an above average large potential over the next 20 years. An increase in mortality due to pulmonary diseases is to be expected worldwide. Bronchial carcinoma is the most common diagnosis in thoracic surgery patients and will remain a relevant topic for health politics for many years. However, the adequate treatment of these patients demands a high degree of interdisciplinary cooperation. In the future thoracic surgery will therefore be carried out in centres with an organ-dependent and interdisciplinary structure. From a surgical technical perspective minimally invasive operation strategies will become established for standard interventions, which are indispensible components of the repertoire for thoracic surgery. Thoracic surgery is traditionally a clinically oriented discipline with low academic superstructure and a high backlog demand in nearly all areas of research. It offers a large field of activity for the next scientifically interested generation with excellent chances to become established and succeed in this discipline with a very promising future.