Thoracic Surgery at UPMC

At UPMC, you can undergo highly specialized surgeries and diagnostic examinations aimed at treating diseases of the chest organs. The multidisciplinary approach of our specialists makes use of high-tech instruments for the execution of targeted and cutting-edge examinations.

Our teams of surgeons are constantly working to improve intervention techniques, which they also perform with minimally invasive procedures. The advantages for patients are shorter recovery times and a lower incidence of complications following surgery.

Book an Appointment

At UPMC, you can book specialist consultations, examinations, and undergo thoracic surgery at the following locations:

• IRCCS ISMETT – UPMC.
• UPMC Salvator Mundi International Hospital.

Thoracic Surgery Services

The purpose of a specialist thoracic examination is to assess the health of the organs within the chest area: lungs, heart, esophagus, thymus, thyroid, trachea and large vessels. This also includes the circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems within the chest cavity.

We also offer specialist services for the treatment of disorders and diseases affecting the lungs and pleura, esophagus, chest wall, thyroid, thymus, and mediastinum.

The interventions performed by our specialists include:

• Lung resections.
• Esophageal resections.
• Resection of the trachea.
• Timectomia.
• Anti-reflective surgery.
• Bronchoscopy and Endobronchial ultrasound.
• Mediastinoscopy.
• ECMO.

The various minimally invasive intervention techniques used by our doctors include:

• Thoracoscopy (VATS): This involves making small incisions in the abdomen and chest, without opening the chest cavity. An endoscope, a flexible instrument equipped with a camera and a light source, is then inserted into the chest. With this procedure, which can be video-assisted for diagnostic purposes, pulmonary, pleural and lymph node biopsies are performed.
• VATS lobectomy: This technique is central to the treatment of malignant and benign lung diseases. It is performed with small incisions in the chest to allow the execution of a pulmonary lobectomy.
• Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE): This highly complex operation is performed with only small incisions in the abdomen and chest.

The advantages of minimally invasive intervention techniques are manifold. First of all, hospitalization and recovery times after surgery are often shorter. The risk of postoperative complications, for example, infections, laparoceles and keloids, is lower. Patients often return to their daily activities faster, in the comfort of their own homes. In addition, from an aesthetic point of view, the scars that remain on the body after surgery are particularly small.

Thoracic Conditions Treated at UPMC

The following diseases affecting organs in the thoracic area are treated at UPMC:

• Benign and malignant tumors of the lung, pneumothorax, pulmonary emphysema, interstitial lung diseases, pleural effusions and tumors of the pleura (mesothelioma).
• Benign and malignant tumors of the esophagus.
• Mediastinal and thymus tumors, and myasthenia gravis.
• Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).
• Achalasia and esophageal diverticula (cervical, thoracic, epiphrenic).
• Hiatal, paraesophageal and diaphragmatic hernias.
• Diseases of the trachea.
• Pectus excavatum and trauma.
• Multinodular, immersed and intrathoracic goiters of the thyroid, and cervical, sternotomic and transthoracic thyroidectomy.

Who are UPMC Thoracic Surgery Services For?

People of all ages can be treated for diseases of the chest organs at UPMC. You can book our specialist services directly or your doctor can refer you.

When you contact our Thoracic Surgery Departments to book visits and specialist examinations, we will also give you complete information on the preparation necessary for the requested service.

We take care of each patient to make your experience as comfortable as possible. We also have a special pediatric surgical clinic for children and adolescents who need our care.