Thoracic Surgery in New Jersey

Lung

Our top thoracic experts will carefully evaluate your condition and customize your treatment to provide you with the most advanced, effective and least invasive treatments available, based on the stage and biology of your cancer.

• Lung Cancer
• Lung Cysts and Bullae
• Lung Nodules and Masses
• Pancoast Tumor
• Pneumothorax

Airway

Tracheal diseases affect the trachea (windpipe) and the two airways that lead to the lungs (bronchi).

• Tracheal/Bronchial Stenosis
• Tracheal/Bronchial Tumors
• Tracheobronchomalacia

Pleura

Pleural disorders affect lung tissue and the chest cavity.

• Empyema
• Mesothelioma
• Pleural Effusion
• Pleural Tumors

Esophagus/Stomach/Diaphragm 

Esophageal disorders affect the esophagus, which carries food from your mouth to your stomach.

• Achalasia
• Diaphragm Paralysis
• Esophageal Cancer
• Esophageal Cysts
• Esophageal Foreign Body
• Esophageal Masses
• Esophageal Rupture/Perforation
• Esophageal Stricture
• Hiatal and Paraesophageal Hernias
• Reflux Disease

Chest Wall

Chest wall tumors are abnormal cell growths that occur in the walls of the chest cavity. 

• Rib and Sternum Tumors

Mediastinum 

The mediastinum contains the trachea (windpipe), esophagus, heart, thymus, fat, nerves and lymph nodes.

• Enlarged Mediastinal Lymph Nodes
• Hyperhidrosis
• Mediastinal Cysts
• Mediastinal Tumors
• Pericardial effusion
• Thymoma

VATS (Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery)

Open Thoracotomy

Median Sternotomy

Lung - We specialize in performing complicated lung procedures, including the following: 

• Blebectomy
• Lobectomy
• Pneumonectomy
• Segmentectomy
• Sleeve Lobectomy
• Wedge Resection

Airway - We perform the following airway procedures: 

• Bronchoscopy (Flexible and Rigid)
• Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
• Navigational Bronchoscopy (biopsy, fiducial placement)
• Tracheal/Bronchial Dilation
• Tracheal/Bronchial Stenting
• Tracheal/Bronchial Tumor Debridement and Resection
• Tracheal Resection
• Tracheostomy

Pleura - We perform the following procedures within the chest cavity:

• Decortication
• Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
• Pleurectomy
• Pleurodesis
• Pleurx Catheter Insertion
• Thoracic Duct Ligation

Esophagus/Stomach/Diaphragm - We perform the following procedures: 

• Diaphragm Plication
• Esophagectomy
• Esophageal Dilation
• Esophagoscopy (EGD)
• Esophageal Myotomy (Heller Myotomy)
• Esophageal Stenting
• Fundoplication
• Hiatal Hernia Repair
• Removal of Esophageal Foreign Body

Chest Wall - We perform the following procedures:

• Resection and Reconstruction of Rib and Sternum
• Tumor removal

Mediastinum - We specialize in performing the following procedures for the trachea (windpipe), esophagus, heart, thymus, fat, nerves and lymph nodes:

• Mediastinoscopy
• Pericardial Window
• Resection of Mediastinal Tumors
• Sympathectomy
• Thymectomy

Hackensack Meridian Health has the most experienced robotic thoracic surgeons in New Jersey. Robotic surgery allows us to remove your tumor or tumors with less pain, shorter recovery time and excellent cancer outcomes. Over 90 percent of our lung cancer surgeries are performed with robotic technology and we have the only surgeons in the state utilizing Ion navigational bronchoscopy to access hard-to-reach nodules and identify and treat lung cancers earlier than with existing technology. Learn more about Robotic Thoracic Surgery.

Pioneering New Treatments: We have the largest clinical research team in New Jersey. Our thoracic oncologists are actively involved in clinical trials that assess new treatments that have the potential to be more effective than existing therapies.

Extensive Experience: We have one of the three largest programs in the New York metropolitan area for robotic surgery and are an international leader in the use of this technology, which often leads to better outcomes, fewer complications and a faster recovery.

Better Outcomes: Our thoracic oncologists treat advanced tumors that may be considered untreatable or inoperable elsewhere.

Experts in Robotics: Our highly specialized thoracic surgeons are experts using minimally-invasive and robotic surgical techniques to diagnose and treat lung cancer, esophageal cancers and benign thoracic conditions.

Better Patient Outcome By Connecting You to the Care You Need: The best care is multidisciplinary care—care that runs across specialties and disciplines. At Hackensack Meridian Health, you will be connected with the medical expertise and services you need, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, interventional radiology, pathology, and anesthesiology to provide you with comprehensive treatment.

There is often more than one way to treat lung, esophageal, or other thoracic malignancies, depending on your disease. Our affiliation with John Theurer Cancer Center allows us to provide the most current and state-of-the-art treatment options for every patient who comes to us with a diagnosis of cancer.

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery is an advanced surgical approach that uses small incisions and specialized instruments to perform procedures, avoiding the need for a large open-chest incision. The two main types are Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) and Robotic Thoracic Surgery. Compared to traditional open surgery, the primary patient benefits of the robotic approach include:

• Less pain and scarring
• Less blood loss
• Lower risk of infection
• A shorter hospital stay
• A faster recovery and return to normal activities
• Better clinical outcomes in many cases

Hackensack Meridian Health thoracic surgeons treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Lung Cancer (lobectomy, segmentectomy, wedge resection)
• Esophageal Cancer
• Mediastinal Tumors (such as thymomas)
• Benign Esophageal Conditions (like achalasia)
• Hiatal Hernia Repair