Thoracic Disorders
Lung cancer remains the most prominent malignancy, affecting more people than all other forms of cancer. Patients who smoke or who are exposed to certain environmental toxins are at risk for developing lung cancer. People whose parents or siblings have had lung cancer, may also be at increased risk for contracting the disease. In many cases, lung cancer does not cause any symptoms unless it is at an advanced stage. The ideal therapy for lung cancer is early diagnosis and surgical removal of the tumor. LACVTSG specializes in the diagnosis of patients with lung cancer. Using video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), LACVTSG surgeons perform minimally invasive biopsies and curative lung resections. In addition, our surgeons are part of a team of oncologists, pulmonologists, radiologists and pathologists who collectively advise our patients on the best therapies for treating and curing lung cancer.
Other procedures include:
- Operations for hyperhidrosis (sweaty palms)
- Surgical correction of spontaneous pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Patients who suffer from leg and foot pain often have poor circulation in the arteries in that supply these areas with oxygen rich blood. Patients with diabetes, hypertension and cigarette smoking are at risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as peripheral arterial disease (PAD). These patients are also at risk for developing non-healing ulcers of the legs and feet. At the LACVTSG, the initial assessment of patients with PAD includes non-invasive testing of the lower extremity circulation. Many patients who have PAD can be treated with new minimally invasive techniques to restore vital circulation to the legs.
Aneurysms are weakened areas of the arterial tree. They can enlarge and eventually rupture, resulting in life threatening hemorrhage. Successful treatment of aneurismal disease requires early diagnosis. The size and rate of growth of the aneurysm determine of a patient is a candidate for a curative operation. Minimally invasive surgical techniques are used by the LACVTSG to treat aneurysms of the thoracic and abdominal aorta. Complications associated with larger, “open” procedures are not seen nearly as often when compared to the minimally invasive approach.
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