University of Michigan thoracic surgeons now offer robotic-assisted, minimally invasive thoracic surgery for a variety of lung, esophageal, and mediastinal diseases. Robotic surgery can provide thoracic surgeons with improved precision and visualization. Smaller, minimally invasive incisions may lead to shorter hospital stays, decreased postoperative pain, and a quicker recovery in patients. The University of Michigan is a nationally renowned academic teaching site, helping other doctors learn to perform robotics surgery. We provide a higher number of robotic-assisted surgeries than any other program in the region.
Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery can be utilized to treat the following conditions:
- Achalasia
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD
- Diaphragmatic paralysis
- Esophageal cancer; end stage esophageal disease
- Hiatal hernias
- Hyperhidrosis
- Mediastinal masses and cysts
- Myasthenia gravis
We offer the following robotic procedures:
- Transhiatal Esophagectomy, a procedure pioneered and perfected at U-M, is a surgical treatment for diseases of the esophagus requiring removal of the esophagus
- Nissen Fundoplication is a treatment for gastrointestinal reflux or GERD, as well as some types of hiatal hernias. Several small incisions are made in the abdominal wall, through which a scope or camera is inserted.
- Lobectomy is a surgical treatment for lung cancer that involves the removal of the lobe affected by the disease.
- Segmentectomy, also known as Wedge Resection, is a treatment for lung cancer in which a wedge-shaped section of the affected lung is removed.
- Myotomy, a treatment for achalasia, is a surgical procedure which allows for easier and more comfortable passage of food to the stomach.
- Thymectomy, or mediastinal mass resection, is a treatment for myasthenia gravis, thymoma, and cancers of the thymus. This surgery involves the removal of the thymus gland.;
- Sympathectomy is a surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis, a condition characterized by abnormally increased perspiration. At U-M, we generally perform this surgery for the hands and underarms.
- Diaphragmatic Plication is a treatment for phrenic nerve paralysis.
Your thoracic surgeon will discuss your treatment options with you, and help determine whether robotic surgery is your best option. General health, imaging studies, and current research are among the factors that affect our recommendations for treatment plans.
To make an appointment with us call 734-936-4973.