Thoracic & Lung Surgery

Maine Heart Surgical Associates provides a full range of surgical procedures for our patients with thoracic malignancy. We work closely with pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, oncologists and primary physicians from around the state and the region. We are also actively involved in the Maine Medical Center Thoracic Oncology Center (TOC), which can provide expedited evaluation.

Some of the procedures provided are:

• Pulmonary resection –
  removal of part of the lung for treatment of cancer.
• Mediastinal tumors –
  thymoma, teratoma, nerve tumors.
• Esophagectomy –
  removal of the esophagus for treatment of cancer.
• Tracheal and bronchial surgery –
  removal of part of the trachea or bronchus.
• Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) –
  also referral to as Endoscopic Thoracic Surgery (ETS) or minimally invasive thoracic surgery (thoracoscopy).

Many thoracic surgical procedures can be performed using small incisions and advanced video assisted techniques, reducing post-operative discomfort, decreasing length of hospitalization and returning people to full activities more rapidly. Some of the problems frequently treated using these techniques are:

• Pleural effusion –
  fluid around the lungs.
• Lung biopsy –
  for diagnosis of disease.
• Lobectomy for cancer of the lung –
  early stage lung cancers can frequently be removed using minimally invasive techniques, avoiding a large incision.
• Mediastinal tumors –
  neurogenic tumors and foregut cysts can frequently be removed endoscopically.
• Pneumothorax (lung collapse) –
  removal of the leaking area of the lung (bleb) and pleurodesis can almost always be done endoscopically.
• Treatment of hyperhidrosis –
  excessive sweating of the palm or axilla can be cured by dividing the sympathetic nerve (sympathectomy) using endoscopic techniques. Two tiny incisions are used, and patients can usually go home the same day as surgery. Success rates are 98% for the axilla and 99% for the palm. This procedure is also effective for patients with other upper extremity problems such as reflex sympathetic dystrophy and Raynaud’s disease.