Cardiothoracic surgery

Procedure	Sedentary admin	Sedentary light manual	Active light manual	Heavy manual	Physically demanding
Pacemaker¹	3-7 days	3-7 days	1-6 weeks	6 weeks	6 weeks
Thoracoscopy with cervical sympathectomy, pulmonary resection and pneumothorax surgery	1-2 weeks	1-2 weeks	2-4 weeks	4 weeks+	4 weeks+
Thoracotomy with partial pneumonectomy	6 weeks	6 weeks	6 weeks	12 weeks	12 weeks
Thoracotomy with pneumonectomy	8-12 weeks	8-12 weeks	8-12 weeks	unlikely	unlikely
Spontaneous pneumothorax	1-7 days	1-7 days	1-7 days	4-6 weeks	4-6 weeks
Surgery for recurrent pneumothorax	2-3 weeks	2-3 weeks	2-3 weeks	6 weeks+	6 weeks+
Oesophagectomy	6-12 weeks	6-12 weeks	8-12 weeks	8-16 weeks	8-16 weeks
Percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure	3 days	3-7 days	7 days	2-4 weeks	4-6 weeks
CABG	6 weeks	6 weeks	8-12 weeks	12-39 weeks	26-39 weeks

1. After pacemaker fitting, must avoid raising arms above shoulder height for six weeks to allow wires to embed fully in muscles. No driving Group 2 vehicles for six weeks, check DVLA website.