The year in thoracic surgery: highlights from 2013.

Over the course of 2013, many important studies have been published affecting the care of thoracic surgery patients. Novel chemotherapeutics are being developed to target specific tumor mutations. The utilization of robotic-assisted surgery continues to expand within this exciting field as well. Improved data on endobronchial ultrasound staging and sublobar resections for non-small cell lung cancer as well as postoperative surveillance after esophagectomy have also been reported. This review summarizes important publications of the past year influencing the practice of thoracic surgery today.