Thoracic & Esophageal Surgery

We offer decades of experience, knowledge, and innovation all coming together with advanced treatments and compassionate care.

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You can rest assured that you will receive the very best comprehensive, innovative, and supportive care in the region.

At the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, our board-certified, and fellowship-trained thoracic surgeons treat patients with diseases of the chest (thorax), lungs, and upper gastrointestinal system (esophagus and stomach), using the most advanced equipment and latest surgical techniques including minimally invasive robotic surgery and video-assisted thoracic surgery to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.

Our thoracic surgery team, along with the support of cardiologists, oncologist, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist, radiation oncologist, respiratory therapists and other specialists, including collaboration with the WVU Cancer Institute, perform the most straightforward to the most complex thoracic procedures on adults.

  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Lung Cancer
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Chest Wall Tumors
  • Mediastinal Tumors
  • Tracheal Tumors
  • Mesothelioma
  • Achalasia
  • Barrett’s esophagus
  • Zenker’s diverticulum
  • Esophageal diverticulum
  • Esophageal Stricture
  • Cryotherapy
  • Tracheomalacia
  • Pectus excavatum
  • Pneumothorax
  • Rib abnormalities
  • Slipped Rib Syndrome
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
  • Tracheal stenosis/ injury
  • Tracheo-esophageal fistula
  • Lung Failure
  • Hyperhidrosis – Excessive Sweating

Treatments and Procedures

  • Airway-Tracheal and Bronchus surgery
  • Chest wall tumor resection and reconstruction
  • Cryoablation to freeze away cancerous or damaged cells
  • Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
  • Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
  • Epigastric hernia repair
  • Esophageal Stenting
  • Heller myotomy
  • Hiatal hernia repair
  • LINX magnetic ring for GERD
  • Lung resection for thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
  • Mediastinal surgery
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Nuss Procedure for sunken chest
  • Per oral endoscopic myotomy to release the muscle at the end of the esophagus
  • Pericardial Window
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Post-Chemoradiation lung surgery
  • Radiofrequency ablation
  • Redo Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Surgery
  • Rib Plating
  • Robotic Bronchoscopy
  • Robotic Esophageal Diverticulectomy
  • Robotic Esophagectomy
  • Robotic First Rib Resection
  • Robotic Fundoplication, Nissen, Toupet, Dor
  • Robotic Heller Myotomy
  • Robotic Incision of Median Arcuate Ligament
  • Robotic lobectomy , sleeve lobectomy
  • Robotic Lung Surgery
  • Robotic Thymectomy for thymoma and Myasthenia Gravis
  • Robotically assisted lung resection surgery
  • Sympathectomy for excessive sweating
  • Thymectomy
  • Thyroidectomy
  • Transoral Incisionless Fundoplicatio – GERD Treatment
  • Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)

About our Centers of Excellence

 

Robotic Thoracic Surgery Program

Our physicians have more experience performing robotic surgeries than any other surgeons in the region. We also have one of the most structured robotic thoracic surgeries programs in country, giving patients access to the latest care and highly trained surgeons. Our program aims to improve patient safety as well as the quality of robotic surgeries.

Center for Benign Esophageal Disease

We collaborate with our Digestive Diseases team to provide diagnosis and cutting-edge therapies that include high-resolution manometry, impedance, and BRAVO capsule aid in difficult diagnoses.

Center for Airway Disease

We offer multiple minimally invasive options for patients with complicated airway disease. Tracheal stenosis, endobronchial tumors, and bronchial strictures can be treated with ablative therapy, cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, endobronchial stenting, endobronchial valves, and tracheal resection. Conventional modalities of rigid and flexible bronchoscopy are also available

Advanced Lung Cancer Program

Our multidisciplinary program, which includes radiation and medical oncology, provides SBRT and uses state-of-the-art technology to treat stage III and IV lung cancer. We also offer immunotherapy, ablative therapy, and a mesothelioma program.

For more information or to schedule an appointment,
call 855-WVU-CARE (855-988-2273) or schedule online.

Our Thoracic Surgery Faculty

With decades of experience, our thoracic surgery team is one of the most experienced teams you will find anywhere. Our world-renowned thoracic surgery experts have been recognized around the world for their innovations and contributions to the field of thoracic surgery.

Alper Toker, MD

Professor and Division Chief
Thoracic Surgery
Morgantown, WV

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J.W. Awori Hayanga MD, MPH

Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Morgantown, WV

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Jason Lamb, MD

Assistant Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Morgantown, WV,
Elkins, WV

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Shalini Reddy, MD

Assistant Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Morgantown, WV
Hagerstown, PA

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Robert Herron, MD

Assistant Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Wheeling, WV

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Jahnavi Kakuturu, MD

Assistant Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Parkersburg, WV

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Locations

Through partnerships and affiliations with local hospitals and clinics, we bring access to complete comprehensive care for patients across West Virginia, and into surrounding regions, including Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, and beyond. It is also our privilege to work with community providers and help provide advanced care for their patients.

WVU Heart and Vascular Institute at Camden Clark Medical Center

705 Garfield Avenue
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Phone: 304-424-4760

Elkins - Clinic

105 Nathan Street
Elkins, WV 26241
304-637-3897

Garrett Regional Medical Center - Clinic

13079 Garrett Highway
Oakland, MD
Phone: 855-WVU-CARE

WVU Heart and Vascular Institute at Berkeley Medical Center

2000 Foundation Way, Suite 3650Martinsburg, WV 25401
304-350-3273
Services: Clinic, Surgery

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WVU Heart and Vascular Institute at Wheeling Hospital

20 Medical Park, Ste. 105
Wheeling, WV 26003
Phone: 304-242-4800

Thomas Memorial Hospital

4605 MacCorkle Ave. SW

South Charleston, WV 25309

Phone: 304-766-3600

Services: Clinic

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United Hospital Center

527 Medical Park Drive
Bridgeport, WV 26330
Phone: 681-342-3730
Services: Clinic, Surgery

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