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Thoracic Surgery

If you’re living with a serious condition affecting the thoracic region of the body, our team of expert thoracic surgeons can help you get back to living your best life. 

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Small incisions, big impacts

The thoracic area is the space between your neck and abdomen and is responsible for some of the most important bodily functions, like breathing and supporting the weight of your body. When this bodily region isn't working how it should, it can have serious effects on your health.

At Tufts Medicine, we offer robotic-assisted, minimally invasive thoracic surgery for several complex lung, esophageal, tracheal and mediastinal diseases. Smaller incisions may lead to shorter hospital stays, decreased post-operative pain, and a quicker path to recovery.  

Gennaro Carpinito, MD uses the daVinci robot during an urology surgery in the operating room at Tufts Medical Center.
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Conditions

Surgery can be a treatment solution for conditions that affect the chest area. These include the lungs, esophagus and mediastinum — the area between the lungs, trachea and diaphragm. We treat the following conditions and more: 

Achalasia
Chest wall trauma
Chest wall tumors
Esophageal cancer
Esophagus disease
GERD
Hiatal hernia
Hyperhidrosis
Lung cancer
Lung nodules
Mesothelioma
Myasthenia gravis
Pleural disorders
Tracheal disorders
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Testing

Your specialized care team will determine the right test based on your symptoms and medical and family health history. This can include a series of imaging tests, breathing tests and potential biopsy which involves taking a small sample to examine it more closely. 

Imaging tests

We work with our colleagues in radiology to get a clear picture of your thoracic region. We may order one or more of the following diagnostic imaging tests to help us make informed decisions about your health. 

Additional thoracic tests

Pulmonary function

This test lets us know how your lungs are working. Pulmonary function tests measure how much air you can breathe in and out and how well the lungs deliver oxygen to your bloodstream.

Bronchoscopy and biopsy

We'll use advanced technology to check every part of your lungs, inside and out. A robotic bronchoscope will navigate your lung's complex paths, making biopsies safer and more precise. This process involves a small camera being inserted into your airways and lungs, enabling us to closely inspect the area of concern.

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Treatments

We’re always in pursuit of what’s next in healthcare and what’s next for your thoracic health. That’s why we offer the latest in minimally invasive surgical procedures to get your life back on track faster.

Bronchoscopic procedures

The lungs are delicate and can be difficult to reach because of their location. But a bronchoscope — a thin, flexible tube about the size of a pencil eraser — enables us to treat all kinds of pulmonary conditions. This tool allows us to perform a variety of procedures, from washing your airways to reducing the thickness of lung muscles to allow for easier breathing.

Thymectomy

A thymectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that removes the thymus gland, which is located behind the breastbone. A thymectomy is a common treatment for myasthenia gravis, which is an autoimmune disease that weakens your skeletal muscles.

Thoracoscopy + video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)

A thoracoscopy, also known as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), is a type of lung volume reduction surgery that treats COPD. It's also a diagnostic tool for confirming if you're living with interstitial lung disease. The good news is that doctors perform this surgery by only making several small incisions in the chest rather than a large, open one. This allows them enough space to insert the tiny digital video camera and surgical instruments needed to perform surgery.

Robotic-assisted surgery

Our thoracic surgeons are experts in the field of robotic-assisted surgery, including the state-of-the-art da Vinci® Surgical System that has been used for over 8.5 million successful surgeries worldwide.

This technology can be used for complex chest, lung, esophagus and stomach procedures. By making just a few small incisions, the surgical system provides a detailed 3D view of the affected area. Having a high-definition view of your insides empowers our doctors with greater precision, control and streamlined communication between the surgery team.

Treating achalasia

Achalasia is an esophageal disorder where food doesn’t move from your mouth to your stomach properly. It occurs when nerves in your esophagus and lower esophageal valve are damaged or destroyed, affecting the typical movements of your esophagus.

We can treat achalasia with endoscopic therapies or surgery. Endoscopic therapies like pneumatic dilation or Botox injections can temporarily improve your symptoms. Meanwhile, surgery can offer a permanent solution for your condition.

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy surgery

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy surgery is a minimally invasive method for opening the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relieve difficulty swallowing. It involves making several small incisions in the abdomen, through which we then insert tiny medical instruments and a camera. These tools guide the doctor as they cut through the muscular layer of the lower end of the esophagus and the upper area of the stomach. This type of surgery is also known as a myotomy.

We can also address gastric reflux during this procedure by using a process called fundoplication. To prevent acid from rising into the esophagus, we wrap a part of the stomach around the esophagus.

Anasuya Gunturi MD, PhD talks with patient at Lowell General Hospital's Women's Wellness Center clinic appointment.
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