Thoracic Surgery

Cardiothoracic Program: Treating Non-cardiac Thoracic Disease

The cardiothoracic surgical program at Nationwide Children’s is dedicated to the treatment of all patients of all ages with congenital disorders of the thorax including the heart, lung, mediastium (middle chest cavity) and chest wall. Non-cardiac thoracic diseases treated include chest wall deformities, such as Jeune’s Syndrome and Pectus (sternum) deformaties, in addition to Benign Thoracic Diseases and Primary or Secondary Malignant Thoracic Diseases.

Successful diagnosis and treatment is accomplished by a multidisciplinary team of specialists from Hematology/Oncology & BMT, Pulmonary Medicine, Physical Therapy, Plastic Surgery and Cardiothoracic specialists, who tailor the treatment to each individual patient. We have developed a program that brings together a wide range of expertise to ensure the best outcomes for our patients, while making the experience as easy as possible for patients and their families.

In addition to the premier team of experts, Nationwide Children's continues to be a pioneer in the development of new treatment strategies including hybrid procedures and is one of the only pediatric hospitals in the nation to use 3-D vision technology for minimally invasive procedures. The cardiothoracic team has access to the new 3-Di Vision Systems, by Viking Systems, Inc. The 3-D equipment uses hi-tech cameras of either 5 mm or 10 mm with 0°, 30° and 70º. This system gives the advantages of any robotic system with the benefits of allowing the surgeon to be at the surgical field using 3 or 5 mm instruments, which offers access to smaller spaces in the thoracic cavity than was ever available before. The use of 3-D imaging provides improved clarity to perform the most delicate maneuvers within the thoracic cavity.

Our driving goal is to continuously improve the quality and quantity of life for our patients. By developing less invasive approaches, the impact of surgery will be far less and will allow patients to recover quicker and have better long-term outcomes. This less invasive approach is also the cornerstone of the Blood Conservation Program. By exposing our patients to less blood products, we reduce the impact of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Case Study Reviews by Dr. Alistair Phillips