Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic surgeons treat these conditions and more…
Esophageal cancer
Benign esophageal tumors
Lung cancer
Benign lung disease
Diaphragm & chest wall complications
Hiatus Hernias
Swallowing disorders
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Milford Regional’s dedicated and highly experienced thoracic surgeons provide comprehensive care for the structures and organs of the chest cavity, particularly the lungs and esophagus. In thoracic surgery, the most common procedure, video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), involves the insertion of a thoracoscope (a tiny camera) and surgical instruments into very small incisions in the chest. This allows the operation to be viewed on a video monitor and the surgical procedure can be performed in a focused effort on the diseased area with less trauma to surrounding tissues. Minimally invasive thoracic surgery reduces post-operative pain and provides a much quicker recovery time.
Some thoracic procedures still require traditional surgery depending on the extent of disease and the nature of the treatment; the more complex the treatment, the more difficult it is to apply tiny incisions to remove dangerous tumors. However, all surgical options are considered and our goal is to perform surgical procedures in the most patient focused and friendly manner as possible.
Our Brigham & Women’s Hospital Partnership
Ciaran McNamee, MD, a Brigham and Women’s thoracic surgeon, joined our active medical staff in 2003 to lead the thoracic surgery program at Milford Regional. Our patients benefit from his international stature and his links to regional and national collaborative thoracic groups. He has frequent interactions with his thoracic surgical partners at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and consultations with Brigham/Dana Farber specialists using virtual video technology to provide the best possible care for his thoracic patients in Milford. The partnership with Brigham and Women’s Hospital provides our thoracic surgery patients the combination of excellence in clinical care and cutting edge research opportunities made available only through this unique relationship.
Patients referred to the thoracic surgery department are treated with a multi-disciplinary team approach. A strong collaboration has been developed among the medical oncology, radiation oncology, pulmonary, gastroenterology, and radiology departments at Milford Regional. This local alliance ensures the best possible care for the patient.