Professor Daniel Keenan

Danny Keenan practiced the full range of cardiothoracic surgery at the Manchester Royal Infirmary and the Alexandra Hospital throughout his career. He trained, initially in surgery, in Belfast learning, at the “coal face” during the “troubles’, the principles of trauma surgery, completing his training in the UK and the USA.  He is a highly successful Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon practicing for 40 years, now retired from active practice.  He remained “on-call” to this busy unit all his career. He practiced the full range of adult cardiac surgery and has been heavily involved in thoracic trauma, both open and closed, experienced virtually all presentations particularly in relation to penetrating chest injuries and rib fractures. He has seen all complications and has actively led in their management.

Cardiac Surgery: Professor Keenan has practiced all aspects of adult cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacement and repair, and surgery of the aorta, particularly in cases of aortic dissection. He has been an innovator in the development of minimally invasive techniques, leading to the advancement of the “off-pump” approach to bypass grafting. In addition to his surgical innovations, he and his team pioneered the “open approach” to surgical results, advocating for transparency by publishing outcomes openly and engaging with both the public and the media. This initiative paved the way for a national approach to result publication. As a result of these contributions, he was appointed Chair of the first Clinical Reference Group in Cardiac Surgery for NHS England.

Thoracic Surgery: Professor Keenan has been actively involved in all aspects of thoracic surgery, with a particular focus on thoracic trauma. His early work contributed to the development of videoscopic approaches to thoracic surgery, particularly as a method for managing pneumothorax. His research interests have included pain relief strategies following thoracic surgery and trauma, initially focusing on cryoablation of the intercostal nerves and later progressing to intrathoracic infusions of analgesic agents. In his later career, he transitioned the unit’s lung cancer surgery responsibilities to colleagues who could dedicate the necessary time to multidisciplinary meetings in this field. More recently, he has played a key role in developing an aggressive approach to managing severely injured patients requiring “clamshell” incisions for bilateral thoracic injuries, including those involving the heart. He is also a member of the Chest Wall Injury Society (CWIS), an international group dedicated to advancing the management of chest injuries.