Changing concepts in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery in the last twenty-four years: 10,000 thoracic and cardiovascular operations.

On July 27, 1977, the ten thousandth operation was performed by the author in commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Sapporo Medical College, Sapporo. Changing concepts in modern or postwar thoracic and cardiovascular surgery during the past two decades are discussed.