Cardiothoracic Surgery
We offer treatment options via surgery to improve all vascular conditions and provide a better quality of life for all. We also offer surgical treatment for conditions within the thoracic cavity such as lobectomies and lung biopsies.
Treatments
Lobectomies
A procedure where a portion of a diseased or cancerous lung is removed.
Lung Biopsies
A procedure performed to remove tissue or cells from the lung(s) for examination under a microscope to check abnormality.
Endovascular Abdominal Aneurysm repair
Endovascular aneurysm repair is the most minimally invasive procedure done to repair an aneurysm. The doctor will thread a catheter through a small incision in your groin and deploy a stent and graft to support your aneurysm, an outward bulging caused by a weak spot on the aorta.
VATS MAZE & Convergent Approach
The VATS MAZE procedure and Convergent approach are examples of cardiothoracic hybrid procedures that can be used to treat persistent atrial fibrillation.
Whether a patient needs surgery to remove a cancerous lung nodule or drain extra fluid from the heart sac, the Heart & Vascular Center provides coordinated treatment from a team of experts in cardiology, electrophysiology, and thoracic surgery. Our goal is to help patients feel full confidence in their treatment plans and get back to their full lives as soon as possible.
Thoracic Treatments
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows our physicians to see a detailed view of bronchial airways, providing a high level of diagnostic information without exposing patients to ionizing radiation. The EBUS ultrasound images help physicians to:
- Evaluate non-small-cell lung cancer (NSLC
- Detect and investigate lesions or nodes on the bronchi
- Inspect peripheral pulmonary lesions
Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) allows our physicians to perform procedures with the aid of a thin, flexible, fiber-optic tube that provides a video view of lung tissues. Because there is no need to open the chest cavity, patients experience less pain and quicker recovery
Minimally Invasive Resection
Minimally invasive resection of lung nodules or cancers means patients suffer less procedural pain and recover faster. Our thoracic surgeon uses a precise laser pointer to locate and mark nodules for further inspection. The physician can then excise a small sample of suspicious tissue and make an initial determination within hours, so treatment can begin quickly. Rapid response is especially important in the case of lung cancer because the best treatments rely on early detection.
Mediastinoscopy
Mediastinoscopy allows our physicians to sample tissue and fluid from beneath the breastbone without spreading the ribs. A lighted scope is inserted in the space between the lungs through a small incision. When linked to a monitor, the scope helps physicians see the heart, esophagus, windpipe, thymus, lymph nodes and underlying nerve clusters.
Pericardial Window
Pericardial windows can be opened using video-assisted thoracoscopy to drain fluid from the sac around the heart (the pericardium). Because the procedure is minimally invasive and highly precise, the risk of infection is reduced and recovery time shortened.
Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomies
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomies treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), facial blushing, Raynaud’s disease and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (pain, swelling, or dysfunction of an extremity). A scope is inserted to thermally seal select networks of sympathetic nerve tissue in the thoracic region. Because the procedure requires only a small incision, recovery time is condensed.
ADVANCED INTERVENTIONS
Percutaneous Repairs
Percutaneous repairs of abdominal aortic aneurysms can be performed on-site, in one of our two, high-tech catheter labs. Catheters are inserted through micro-punctures in the upper thigh, so stents can be inserted to reinforce the walls of the abdominal aorta. The procedure helps save lives by preventing aneurysms from bursting and causing a heart attack or stroke.
Carotid Endarterectomy
Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure that helps clear the carotid arteries to reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack. Surgery may be required on both or only one of these circulatory highways, depending on the location of the blockages. One of our cardiac surgeons makes a small incision to access the carotid artery and remove the lining where plaque (a fatty deposit) is forming. If needed, the surgeon will employ carotid stenting to place a flexible tube in any narrow or damaged section of the artery to help prevent future blockages from forming.
For more information or to schedule, call 970.384.7290
