Cardiothoracic surgery
| Condition | Recommended return to non-manual | Recommended return to manual | Factors affecting return to work |
| Thoracoscopic surgical procedures including cervical sympathectomy, pulmonary resection and pneumothorax surgery | Within 2 weeks[1] | Within 4 weeks[1] | Dependent on underlying pathology |
| Thoracotomy with partial pneumonectomy | 6 weeks[1][2] | 3 months[2] | |
| Thoracotomy with pneumonectomy | 2-3 months[1][2] | unlikely[1] | |
| Oesophagectomy | 3 months[1] | unlikely[1] | Dependent on underlying pathology |
| 6-8 weeks[3] | 2-4 months[3] | Those having chemotherapy before surgery should be able to return without additional delay, however those having chemotherapy after surgery may need to delay their return or return on reduced hours until after the end of treatment. | |
| Coronary angioplasty | 0-4 weeks[2] | ||
| CABG | 4-8 weeks[2] | ||
| 6 weeks[3] | 6-12 weeks[3] | ||
| [1] Samuel AM, Wellwood JMcK. Fitness for work after surgery. In Palmer KT, Cox RAF and Brown I. (Eds) Fitness for Work 4th edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford 2007 pp 467-486. | |||
| [2] Department for Work and Pensions. Return to work following elective surgical procedures. | |||
| [3] Royal College of Surgeons of England. | |||
Recommendations based on formal analysis of evidence are in red. Where only some evidence is available, the figures are in blue, and the relevant references are provided. Consensus-based guidelines are in black.