A variety of surgical services are offered by board certified thoracic surgeons. These are surgeons who completed specialized training in chest operations. Our approach is to always select the least invasive procedure which can be preformed in the safest manner.
Pulmonary or Lung surgery
Thoracoscopic or minimally invasive techniques have revolutionalized chest surgery resulting in shorter length of stay in the hospital and quicker return to work and well being. The principal behind these procedures is to perform these operations with a scope and avoid spreading of ribs. Otherwise the operations are conducted in the same manner as “open” more invasive techniques. These can be applied to lung cancers or suspicious pulmonary nodules. In general two one inch incisions and a third three inch insicion are made on the side of the chest. Preoperatively extensive studies (pulmonary function testing and cardiac stress testing) are completed to determine a patients suitability for the operation.
Stenting
Certain patients have disease processes that narrow either the windpipe or esophagus (food pipe). These potentially life threatening problems are frequently able to be treated with a stent which re-establishes the luminal integrity of these organs. Stents are self expanding devices which eliminate these blockages and allow patients to breath easier or regain the ability to once again eat.
Pleural Space
Some patients develop ”pleural space” problems resulting in the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. These can be from benign, malignant, or infectious etiologies. A wide range of options exist from thoracoscopic drainage to placement of specialized catheters which allow patients to their fluid at home
Esophageal surgery
Disorders of the esophagus or food pipe including cancers, strictures, diverticula, and achalsia are frequently encountered. These are treated with various techniques including the trans-hiatal and Ivor-Lewis approach to the esophagus. When the esophagus needs to be removed either the stomach can be fashioned into a tube or the large intestine can be used to re-establish continuity.
Mediastinal Masses
Masses in the mediastinum or center portion of the chest may be either benign or malignant. In many instances they can be removed from a minimally invasive neck incision. More advanced lesions may require a thorascopic or trans-sternal approach.