Thoracic Surgery

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Inova Lung ServicesPrograms and Services — Thoracic Surgery

Thoracic Surgery

Thoracic surgery is a very specialized area of medicine involving operations on the lungs, the lining of the lung (called the pleura), the esophagus, the chest wall and the mediastinum, that few medical institutions in the country offer. Our experience in thoracic surgery is extensive, with our surgeons performing hundreds of surgeries each year.

Most thoracic surgeries performed at Inova use the latest minimally invasive techniques. These techniques require that our surgeons be at the forefront of the newest technologies such as robotic surgery and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).

Thoracic surgery at Inova also includes interventional pulmonologists. Our thoracic surgeons and interventional pulmonologists work closely together, particularly on the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in coordination with Inova's Lung Cancer and Thoracic Malignancies Program.

Our Commitment To Excellence, To Caring

Inova's goal is to provide patients the safest, most effective and efficient treatment possible. In doing so, we want you to have as much information as possible about your thoracic diagnosis and treatment options.

Traditional vs. Minimally Invasive Thoracic Procedures

Inova's comprehensive Thoracic Surgery Program tailors each procedure and surgical approach to the patient's needs, preferences and condition. Our overall philosophy is to offer patients minimally invasive procedures whenever possible, as long as that treatment is the most appropriate choice for the patient's condition. However, we recognize that sometimes a traditional or “open” operation is the better choice to ensure the best possible surgical outcome.

  • Minimally invasive techniques offer many benefits including: shorter hospital stays, significantly less post-operative pain, lower complication rates and a faster return to regular activities.
  • Traditional thoracic surgical procedures require large incisions, spreading of the ribs, and sometimes removal of one or more ribs to achieve adequate visualization of the organs being treated.

Leading Edge Technology

At Inova we are able to perform a variety of operations using the latest technology, including:

Conditions Treated by Thoracic Surgery

Airways
  • Strictures
  • Tumors
Chest wall
  • Malformations
  • Tumors
Esophagus
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Motility disorders (eg achalasia)
  • Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
  • Hiatal hernias (ehere stomach slides into the chest cavity)
  • Zenker’s and other types of diverticuli (abnormal outpouchings of the esophagus)
Lungs
  • Lung cancer
  • Lung nodules
  • Pneumothorax (lung collapse)
  • Severe emphysema
Mediastinum
  • Tumors (eg. thymoma, germ cell tumors, bronchogenic cysts)
  • Myasthenia gravis
Pleura
  • Effusions
  • Tumors

Treatment Options

Patients who come to Inova benefit from the complete spectrum of minimally invasive and traditional thoracic surgical treatment options available, including:

  • Achalasia: laparoscopic or peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing: procedures to help open the airway or esophagus
  • Esophagectomy: removal of the esophagus with reconstruction
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) : Laparoscopic fundoplication, LINX and endoscopic fundoplication (TIF procedure)
  • Hiatal hernia repairs: where the stomach slides into the chest cavity
  • Interstitial lung disease: lung biopsy for evaluation
  • Lung cancer: VATS and robotic lobectomy and wedge resection
  • Mediastinal tumors: VATS and robotic resection of mediastinal masses