Thoracic Surgery
Innovative & Expert Medical Care
Thoracic surgery refers to surgery performed on the lungs, esophagus, chest
wall, and mediastium. It is used to treat cancer as well as a range of
esophageal disorders, including myasthenia gravis/thymomas, mediastinal
masses, and esophageal disorders such as achalasia and Gastro-Esophageal
Reflux Disease (GERD). Just a decade ago, most surgeries were “open”
or invasive procedures in which a surgeon made a large incision. In the
case of lung cancer, the cut could be several inches long as a surgeon
maneuvered between the ribs to remove a tumor.
Today, minimally invasive techniques have changed the standard of care
for virtually all types of surgery. “Surgery for lung cancer at
Jupiter Medical Center combines the best of everything,” explains
K. Adam Lee, medical director of the Thoracic Surgery and Lung Center
of Excellence, “including thoracic surgeons experienced in the latest
minimally invasive techniques, cutting-edge robotic technology and multidisciplinary
collaboration across disciplines and fields of study. At the Frank E.
& Mary D. Walsh Robotic Surgery Program at Jupiter Medical Center,
we use the latest advances including robotic-assisted thoracic surgery
(RATS) and video-assisted thorascopic surgery (VATS).”
Traditionally, surgeons use thoracotomy surgery to biopsy or remove tissue
from the lungs. This open chest procedure has a higher risk of infection
and complications as well as a longer recovery time for patients. Through
the minimally invasive RATS approach, surgeons reduce these risks with
a more accurate procedure. RATS requires only small incisions in the chest,
rather than one large incision. The surgeon views a magnified, 3D-image
of the patient’s lungs and chest. Then, using robotic technology
to translate hand movements into precise actions, the surgeon performs
the procedure. According to Dr. Lee, “Patients experience less pain,
scarring and since the RATS procedure causes less trauma to the body,
recovery time is also reduced.”
Procedures
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Lobectomy - Patients with early stage
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer can be treated with a surgical procedure called lobectomy, where lung lobes
with cancer lesions are surgically removed.
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Thymectomy - Patients with Myasthenia Gravis - a neuromuscular disorder causing muscle
weakness - can be treated with a procedure called thymectomy, where they
thymus gland is surgically removed.
-
Mediastinal Resections - Patients with tumors or masses in the chest cavity between the lungs
can be treated with a procedure called resection of mediastinal masses,
where the masses are removed through a small incision.
-
Myotomy - Patients with Achalasia - a disorder affecting the ability of the esophagus
to move food to the stomach - can be treated with a procedure called myotomy,
where the esophageal muscle is repositioned.
-
Belsey Fundoplasty - Patients with GERD can be treated with a procedure called Belsy Fundoplasty,
where the esophagus is surgically corrected.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one is in need of thoracic surgery, time is of the essence.
It is vital you enlist our medical care and attention today. For more
information, or to make an appointment with our thoracic surgeon, please
call 561-263-4400.