Greater Baltimore Medical Center

Disorders and Diseases - Thoracic Surgery

Minimally invasive surgical techniques are used preferentially in all facets of the GBMC thoracic surgery practice.  Patients undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) for diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures in the chest or laparoscopic procedures for treatment of swallowing problems, generally experience fewer complications, less pain and scarring after surgery and consequently have a quicker recovery

Procedures include lung biopsy, lymph node biopsy for diagnosis or staging, lung wedge resection, lobectomy, pneumonectomy, drainage of pleural or pericardial effusions, decortication, sympathectomy, first rib resection, thymectomy, esophagomyotomy, fundoplication, diverticulectomy or hiatal hernia repair.     

The Division of Thoracic Surgery at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) offers expertise in the treatment of the following diseases:

• Post Thoracotomy Rehabilitation Protocol
• Lung Cancer
  -- Small Cell Lung Cancer
  -- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Swallowing problems
  -- Reflux disease
  -- Achalasia
  -- Hiatal hernia
• Common Chest Problems
  -- Pulmonary nodules
  -- Pneumothorax
  -- Pleural effusion
  -- Empyema
  -- Pericardial effusion
• Emphysema
• Hyperhydrosis - "excessive sweating"
• Airway Problems
  -- Endobronchial tumor ablation
  -- Stenting
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Myasthenia Gravis

For detailed descriptions of procedures and disease processes please visit The Society of Thoracic Surgery Patient Information page.