Thoracic & Esophageal Surgery

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.

Conditions we treat

Chest-related Problems

• Pectus excavatum
• Pericardial effusions
• Pleural effusions
• Pneumothorax
• Rib abnormalities

Other

• Emphysema
• Lung Failure
• Tracheal Stenosis
• Hyperhidrosis

Treatments and Procedures

Screening techniques and surgical procedures include:

• Bronchoscopy
• Bronchus surgery
• Clagget’s Window
• Epigastric hernia repair
• Esophageal surgery
• Heller myotomy
• Hiatal hernia repair
• Laparoscopic antireflux surgery
• Lobectomy
• Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
• Mediastinal surgery
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Pericardial Window
• POEM (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy)
• Robotically assisted lung resection surgery
• Surgical treatment of hyperhydrosis
• Thoracentesis
• Thymectomy
• Thyroidectomy
• Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)

Minimally invasive and robotic assisted surgeries

These surgeries are minimally invasive advanced procedures using the Da Vinci robot. With minimally invasive procedures some patients experience less pain, and faster recoveries than other surgeries, helping you spend less time in the hospital. Robotic surgery options include:

• Esophagectomy to remove part of the esophagus
• Lung-preserving surgery
• Sympathectomy for excessive sweating
• Lung resection for thoracic outlet syndrome
• Hiatal hernia repair
• Heller myotomy to release the muscle at the end of the esophagus

Laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries

These surgeries use fewer incisions or no incisions. With fewer incisions, patients are at a lower risk for pain, bleeding and infection. Patients also have a faster recovery from surgery. Laparoscopic surgeries include:

• LINX magnetic ring for GERD to prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus
• Endoscopic mucosal resection to remove damaged or cancerous areas of the esophagus
• Radiofrequency ablation to burn away cancerous or damaged cells
• Cryoablation to freeze away cancerous or damaged cells
• Transoral stapling of the diverticulum to treat Zenk’s divertuculum
• Per oral endoscopic myotomy to release the muscle at the end of the esophagus

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. Learn more here.

Esophageal Cancer Program: We take pride in the quality of care given to esophageal cancer patients. Robotic esophagostomy is used for esophageal cancer procedures. Find out more here.

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.

Adult ECMO Program: The only program of its kind in the state, it is a nationally recognized Center of Excellence, providing the highest level of care and outcomes. Learn more about the Adult ECMO program.

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. Find out more here.

Lung Preservation Surgery Program: We are one of only a few programs in the country that can remove one-eighth of the lung, called a segment, rather than an entire lobe.

Lung Cancer Screening Program: Lung cancer screening uses a low dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest to screen for a lung mass or nodule that could indicate lung cancer. Find out more information on lung cancer screenings.

Additional Video Resources

• Health Report: Myasthenia Gravis
• Health Report: ECMO