Minimally invasive thoracic surgery is a way of performing surgery using small incisions through which long, thin instruments are inserted. This type of surgery allows our surgeons to perform the same procedures as traditional open surgery with less trauma to the chest wall or abdominal wall.
At Northside Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Shady Eldaif and Dr. John Gouldman, are recognized leaders in the use of minimally invasive thoracic surgical techniques that offer the best possible outcome for their patients. Whenever possible, minimally invasive surgical techniques are used.
Our physicians have trained extensively to provide minimally invasive lobectomies through two to three small incisions, and also offer stereotactic radiotherapy and radiofrequency ablation for tumors that are not amenable to surgery.
For patients with certain types of esophageal and lung cancers, an innovative, minimally invasive laser-based treatment option is available. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) allows the destruction of cancer cells through light-sensitive drugs and a visible light beam.
Minimally invasive surgery can be used to treat diseases of the chest, primarily cancers of the lungs and the esophagus. As well as noncancerous conditions such as benign chest wall tumors, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and paraesophageal hernia.
Some of the minimally invasive surgeries that we perform include:
