Hello aspirant,

Summarizing the pros and cons according to me :

Pros

1. No confusion after primary specialization, no entrance tests again; you can just tough it out for 6 years, after which you are a superspecialist
2. DNB is in private hospitals, where you can see best practices and newest procedures and techniques
3. DNB is much better structured than local universities, there are regular assessments, and exit exam is fairly standardized

Cons

1. CVTS is less and less preferred nowadays as a surgical subspecialty, as many cases of CABG are now amenable to procedures done by cardiologists
2. It is highly intensive, and postoperative care in the ICU can drain many people. If you don’t like managing ICU patients, you should think twice about taking up CVTS.
3. It would be 8–10 years before you do independent surgeries. Competition is so stiff that many do further fellowships in pediatric CVTS etc. There is a long wait for financial settlement, and it can frustrate you.
4. You have little personal time or family life while pursuing the course, depending on where you take it.
5. In many institutes, it may be only in the last 2 years or 1 year that you actually play an active role in the surgery.
6. You don’t have much general surgery background when you start, which may be a disadvantage initially.

Overall, the decision must be based on personal preferences, choice of institution available, teaching at the institute, patient load, etc.

You have to be highly committed to take it up.

Hope it helps!