Procedures
Every operation performed, in plain language
Thoracic surgery covers the lungs, esophagus, mediastinum, chest wall, and diaphragm. Below is what Dr. Roberts performs and the conditions each procedure treats.
By region
Select a region of the chest
Each group expands. Work is done open, thoracoscopically, or robotically depending on what the anatomy requires.
- Lung cancer
- Lung mass
- Lung abscess
- Lobectomy
- Segmentectomy
- Wedge resection
- Pneumonectomy
- Sleeve resection
- Lung resection
- Pulmonary metastases
- Minimally invasive pulmonary lobectomy
- Minimally invasive lung cancer surgery
- Robotic lung surgery
- Biopsy of lung
- Open biopsy of lung
- Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
- Thoracoscopy
- Thoracotomy
- Exploratory thoracotomy
- Achalasia
- Barrett's esophagus
- Barrx radiofrequency ablation
- Esophageal cancer
- Esophageal mass
- Esophageal perforation
- Esophageal stricture
- Esophagectomy
- Robotic esophagectomy
- Fundoplication
- Gastroesophageal reflux surgery
- Heller myotomy
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus
- Malignant neoplasm of esophagus
- Tracheoesophageal fistula
- Hiatal hernias
- Paraesophageal hernia
- Gastric volvulus
- Diaphragmatic hernia
- Diaphragmatic tumor
- Repair of diaphragm
- Plication of the diaphragm
- Bronchial fistula repair
- Endobronchial stent placement
- Tracheal stent placement
- Laser resection of airway tumors
- Tracheal mass
- Tracheal resection
- Tracheomalacia
- Tracheoplasty
- Tracheostomy
- Tracheostomy revision
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea
- Malignant neoplasm of main bronchus
- Carcinoid tumor
- Thymectomy
- Thymoma
- Thymus cancer
- Thymus surgery
- Mediastinal abscess
- Mediastinal mass
- Mediastinum cancer
- Substernal thyroid mass
- Hilar adenopathy
- Pleural effusion
- Pleural cancer
- Pleural diseases
- Malignant effusion
- Empyema
- Pleurectomy
- Pleurodesis
- Pleurx catheter insertion
- Decortication of lung
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy
- Mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma surgery
- Benign mesothelioma
- Asbestos lung
- Thoracentesis
- Chest wall disorder
- Chest wall resection
- Chest wall tumors
- Biopsy chest wall
- Sarcoma of the chest wall
- Correction of pectus deformity
- Pectus excavatum
- Rib fracture
- Sternal fracture
- Contusion of chest wall
- First rib resection
- Cervical rib resection
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Hyperhidrosis
- Hyperhidrosis surgery
- Thoracoplasty
- Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
- Bronchoscopy
- Fiberoptic bronchoscopy
- Mediastinoscopy
- Biopsy diaphragm
- Open biopsy of bronchus
- Open biopsy of lesions of mediastinum
- Endoscopic surgery
- Thoracoscopy
- Thoracentesis
- Navigational bronchoscopy
- Mediastinal lymph node staging
- Surveillance with circulating tumor DNA
- Lung cancer surgery
- Esophageal cancer surgery
- Malignant neoplasm of esophagus
- Malignant neoplasm of main bronchus
- Mesothelioma surgery
- Pleural cancer surgery
- Thoracic cancer
- Thoracic malignancy
- Mediastinum cancer
- Thymus cancer
- Carcinoid tumor
- Sarcoma of the chest wall
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea
- Pulmonary metastases
- Collapsed lung
- Contusion of chest wall
- Pneumothorax
- Tension pneumothorax
- Rib fracture
- Sternal fracture
- Thoracostomy
- Thoracotomy
- Exploratory thoracotomy
- Cryotherapy nerve blocks (cryoanalgesia)
- Intercostal nerve blocks
- Paravertebral blocks
- Opioid-sparing recovery protocol
- Thoracic sympathectomy
- Emphysema
- Lung volume reduction surgery
- Plication of emphysematous bleb
- Bullectomy
- Endobronchial valve placement
- Robotic lung surgery
- Robotic thoracic surgery
- Robotic esophagectomy
- Minimally invasive lung cancer surgery
- Minimally invasive pulmonary lobectomy
- Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
- Endoscopic surgery
- Virtual care
- Telemedicine consultation
- Remote follow-up
Indications
Conditions that bring patients here
If your diagnosis is on this list, a consultation is worth having, including for a second opinion.
Primary or metastatic lung cancer
Esophageal cancer and benign esophageal disorders
Barrett's esophagus and achalasia
Hiatal, paraesophageal, and diaphragmatic hernia
Gastric volvulus and reflux disease
Mediastinal tumors, cysts, and thymoma
Recurrent or persistent pneumothorax and collapsed lung
Pleural effusions, empyema, and pleural masses
Mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung disease
Chest wall tumors, trauma, rib or sternal fracture
Pectus excavatum and other chest wall deformities
Tracheal and bronchial stenosis or fistula
Severe myasthenia gravis
Thoracic outlet syndrome and first rib compression
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
Emphysema and lung volume reduction candidates
Enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes needing EBUS staging
Follow-up after cancer resection, including ctDNA surveillance
Read further
The complete procedure guide
A longer walkthrough of each operation, how minimally invasive technique changed outcomes, and an honest account of the risks.
Not sure which procedure applies to you?
That is the point of the consultation. Send your imaging and history, and Dr. Roberts will tell you what he would do and why.