• Heart Valve and Bypass
• Lung Surgery
• Carotid Artery
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
• Angiographic Procedures
• Leg Revascularization

Lung Surgery

There are two ways to access the lungs through the chest wall. Thoracoscopy utilizes several small incisions. The surgeon uses one of these incisions to insert a thin tube containing a camera that is capable of transmitting views of your lung to a video monitor.

Surgical instruments can be inserted through the other incisions. Thoracotomy utilizes a larger incision across your side that allows the surgeon an open and direct view of the lung. The rib cage is separated to expose the lung, and your lung is deflated before any surgical procedure is performed. Both thoracoscopy and thoracotomy procedures are done under general anesthesia.

Lung Masses

If a mass has been discovered in the lung, a biopsy sample can be removed and examined to determine whether the growth is benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Other areas surrounding the mass can also be examined to determine if the mass has spread. If a lung mass needs to be removed, its size, location, and spread will determine how much lung tissue needs to be removed. Removal of part or all of a lung is called lung resection.

Collapsed Lung

If a portion of the lung is thin or ruptured, air may leak into the pleural cavity which is the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This collection of air may cause a pneumothorax or lung collapse. Tubes inserted during surgery can drain air from the pleural cavity so that the lung re-expands. The lung may also be repaired so that it is less likely to collapse in the future.