Sharp Memorial Hospital
Thoracic (Lung) Surgery at Sharp Memorial Hospital
The Thoracic (Lung) Surgery Program at Sharp Memorial Hospital provides specialized surgical treatment for disorders of the organs of the chest, particularly the lungs and esophagus.
Our expert team is here for you.
We believe that multidisciplinary care yields the best outcomes. For this reason, our experts in pulmonology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, gastroenterology, radiology and nuclear medicine work closely together to provide you with the best treatment.
- We specialize in advanced diagnostics and personalized treatment plans
- We offer comprehensive surgical treatments using traditional and minimally invasive surgical options, including robotic-assisted surgery and video-assisted thoracic surgery
And with our convenient Find a doctor tool, we make choosing the right thoracic surgeon easy.
Conditions we treat
Airway
- Tracheal stenosis
- Tracheal tumor
- Tracheobronchomalacia
Chest Wall
- Chest wall malignancies (sarcoma)
- Congenital lung disease
- Pectus carinatum
- Pectus excavatum
Esophagus
- Achalasia
- Barrett's esophagus
- Esophageal cancer
- Esophageal (Zenker’s) diverticulum
- Esophageal duplication cyst
- Esophageal motility
- Gastroesophageal junction cancer
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Hiatal hernia
- Leiomyoma
- Paraesophageal hernia
- Peptic stricture
- Schatzki's ring
Lung
Malignant:
- Carcinoid tumor
- Lung cancer
- Lung nodule
- Lung metastasis
Benign:
- Bronchiectasis
- Bulla
- Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM)
- Pulmonary sequestration
- Pneumothorax
Mediastinum and Thymus
Malignant:
- Mediastinal mass (Germ cell tumor; Thymoma)
- Neurogenic tumor
- Paraganglioma
- Schwannoma
Benign:
- Bronchogenic cyst
- Mediastinal cyst
- Myasthenia gravis
Pleura and Pericardium
- Fibrothorax
- Hemothorax
- Mesothelioma
- Pericardial cyst
- Pericardial effusion
- Pleural effusion
- Pleural tumor
Lung procedures we perform
- Complex airway management
- Endobronchial ultrasound
- Endomocosal esophageal resection
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- Esophagectomy
- Esophageal stents
- Esophagectomy (minimally invasive)
- Fluorescence bronchoscopy with advanced laser techniques
- Hiatal or Paraesophageal hernia repair
- Laparoscopic Heller myotomy
- Laparoscopic Nissen and Laparoscopic Redo-Collis Nissen
- Laparoscopic repair of giant paraesophageal hernias
- Lobectomy
- Pneumonectomy
- Segmentectomy
- Tracheobronchial stenting
- Thymectomy
- Wedge resection
- Zenker’s diverticulectomy
Robotic-assisted lung surgery at Sharp
Robotic-assisted lung surgery is one of the most promising developments in treating lung cancer in its early stages. It is performed through a series of small incisions using tiny, rotating instruments. These sophisticated tools move in a similar way to a human hand but with a greater range of movement and accuracy. Your surgeon always remains in complete control of them. Surgeons also use a high-definition 3D camera, which provides enhanced views into the chest.
Benefits of robotic-assisted surgery:
- Faster recovery time
- Shorter hospital stay
- Less pain and decreased use of narcotics
Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)
With this minimally invasive surgical procedure, a tiny camera and surgical instruments are introduced into the chest through one or more small incisions, only a few millimeters in length. The camera sends high-quality images inside your chest to a video monitor, which guides the surgeon in performing the procedure.
Frequently asked questions about lung surgery.
What is thoracic surgery?
Cardiothoracic surgery includes surgery on the heart as well as other structures within the chest (thorax). Thoracic surgery might not include surgery on the heart.
When should I see a thoracic surgeon?
You should seek care from a thoracic surgeon when your primary care doctor or other doctor refers you to one. Your doctor may refer you to a thoracic surgeon if you have a disease, disorder or condition that requires chest surgery. A thoracic surgeon is an expert in surgery on the heart, lungs, esophagus, diaphragm and trachea (windpipe).
Is robotic-assisted lung surgery right for me?
Patients with early-stage lung cancer are often good candidates for robotic surgery. Some patients are not candidates for less invasive procedures, therefore, traditional approaches will be used. Your surgeons will discuss the best options for you.
How long will I be in the hospital after surgery?
Hospital stays often are based on how well you manage pain and recovery. Generally, patients return home 24 to 72 hours after surgery.
When can I drive again and return to work after surgery?
The ability to drive depends on the medication you need to take for pain control. If you are on narcotic medications, you may not drive or operate heavy machinery.
You will develop a plan with your surgeon regarding when you can return to work. Depending on the nature of work and the surgery performed, patients often return to work from 1 to 2 weeks to 2 months. After robotic-assisted lung surgeries, there is also additional recovery and rehabilitation time needed.
We'll help find the doctor who's right for you.
View doctors specializing in thoracic surgery in San Diego.