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Thoracic (Chest) Surgery

Center for Complex Airway Surgery
In conjunction with otolaryngology, pulmonology, and anesthesiology, the thoracic surgeons of the Center for Complex Airway Surgery provide advanced management for problems of the central airways (trachea and bronchi). The Center for Complex Airway Surgery specializes in developing optimal, individualized, and long-term airway management for benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) conditions of the airway. Management options include tracheal resection (removal of damaged trachea), tracheal t-tubes, tracheal and bronchial stents, and tracheostomy (operation to create an opening of the trachea through the neck to create an airway).

Patients with primary lung cancer (cancer originating in the lungs) or cancer metastatic to the lungs (cancer spread to the lungs) that block the central airways can benefit from endoscopic tumor removal to reestablish patency of the airways. Advanced techniques including rigid bronchoscopy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and a variety of hot (laser, electrocautery) and cold (cyotherapy, microdebridement) therapies are utilized to achieve an open airway. Stenting (placement of a hollow tube) may help keep the tumor from re-closing the airway once the main airway channel has been opened.

Thoracic (Chest) Surgery Contact Information
For more information regarding Thoracic (Chest) Surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, call (312) 695-3800 or (877) 926-4664, or request an appointment online.

Visit the Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Health Learning Center and Alberto Culver Women's Health Learning Center. These state-of-the-art health information libraries are among the largest hospital-based learning facilities of their kind. For more information call (312) 926-5465.

Review Date: 06/08