Cardiothoracic Conditions

Coronary artery bypass graft 

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) treats coronary artery disease. This surgery helps blood make a detour, or bypass, around one or more narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that bring blood to the heart.

Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft 

Off-Pump Coronary artery bypass graft is surgery to treat coronary artery disease. This procedure is performed without using the heart-lung machine. The surgery helps blood make a detour, or bypass, around one or more narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.

Mitral Valve Surgery 

Mitral valve surgery can repair or replace your heart’s mitral valve. The new valve may be mechanical or made of animal tissue. Your physician will talk with you about which type of valve is best for you. The mitral valve opens and closes to keep blood flowing in the proper direction through your heart.

Aortic Valve Replacement 

Aortic valve replacement gives you a new aortic heart valve. The new valve may be mechanical or made of animal tissue. Your physician will talk with you before surgery about which type of valve is best for you.  The aortic valve opens and closes to keep blood flowing in the proper direction through your heart.

Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation 

Treatment for atrial fibrillation helps prevent stroke and heart failure. It also helps relieve symptoms. Atrial fibrillation is often caused by another heart problem. It may happen after heart surgery. It may also be caused by other problems, such as an overactive thyroid gland or lung disease.

Early & Locally Advanced Lung Cancer

Lung cancer causes cells to divide in the lungs uncontrollably, causing tumors that reduce a person’s ability to breathe.

Lung Volume Reduction Surgery 

During this surgery, your MMG surgeon removes small pieces of damaged lung tissue, allowing the remaining tissue to function better. The diaphragm then contracts and relaxes better, so you can breathe more easily.

Tracheal Tumors & Airway Management

Tracheal tumors occur in the trachea, also known as the windpipe. Airway management uses medical procedures and devices for the purpose of maintaining or restoring ventilation in a patient which is reduced by the tumors. 

Malignant Pleural Effusions 

A malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a fairly common complication in a number of different cancers. There is a build up of fluid and cancer cells that collects between the chest wall and the lung. MPE causes you to have chest discomfort as well as feel short of breath. 

Chest Wall Tumors 

Chest wall tumors are often noticed by a  lump, bump or protrusion in the chest.

Pulmonary Metastases 

A pulmonary (lung) metastasis is cancer that started in another part of the body and spread to the lungs. It’s also called secondary lung cancer or metastatic lung tumors.

Thoracotomy

A thoracotomy is surgery completed through an incision  in the chest wall. A thoracotomy may be used for surgery on the lungs, esophagus, trachea, heart, aorta, or diaphragm. The exact place where the incision is made depends on the reason for the surgery. It is usually across the side of the mid-chest.

Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)

VATS is a way to do surgery inside the chest. With open surgery, the physician makes one large incision in your chest. But with VATS, the physician makes several small cuts. VATS also differs from open surgery because the physician does not have to cut through the ribs or breastbone (sternum).

Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This is called the pleural space. The procedure may also be called a “chest tap.”  It is normal to have a small amount of fluid in the pleural space. But too much fluid can build up because of problems such as infection, heart failure, and lung cancer.

Lobectomy

Lobectomy  is the removal of the lobe of the lung affected by lung cancer. A bilobectomy is the removal of two lobes.

Malignant pleural effusions

A malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is the buildup of fluid and cancer cells that collects between the chest wall and the lung. This can cause you to have chest discomfort as well as feel short of breath. It is a fairly common complication in a number of different cancers.

Mesothelioma 

A mesothelioma is a tumor of the tissue that lines the lungs, stomach, heart, and other organs. Treatment may include surgery, but also radiation, and chemotherapy are common.

Mediastinal tumors

Mediastinal tumors form in the area of the chest that separates the lungs, the mediastinum. The mediastinum contains the heart, nerves, aorta, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and lymph nodes.

Thyroidectomy 

A thyroidectomy is surgery to remove  your thyroid gland. This gland is shaped like a butterfly. It lies across the windpipe (trachea). The gland makes hormones that control how your body makes and uses energy (metabolism). 

Bronchoscopy 

During this procedure,  a flexible tube is used to look at your airway, a bronchoscope. This is done to look for growth, problems with the airway and diagnose breathing problems.

Esophagectomy 

This surgery removes all or part of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. The healthy part of the esophagus is connected to the stomach or colon so that you can still swallow and eat food. This surgery is mainly used when a patient has esophageal cancer.

Aortic Root Aneurysms

An aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel stretches or bulges. An aortic root aneurysm occurs in the beginning of the aorta. The aorta is the body’s largest blood vessel. It is responsible for transporting blood to the body from the heart.

Ascending Aortic Aneurysms

Aneurysms are excessive localized enlargements of an artery. They are caused by a weakening of the artery wall. Ascending aortic aneurysms are a subtype of thoracic aortic aneurysms or aneurysms that occur in the chest area above the diaphragm. 

Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

Aneurysms are excessive localized enlargements of an artery. They are caused by a weakening of the artery wall. Descending aortic aneurysms occur in the back of the chest cavity.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when an area of the aorta becomes very large or bulges out.

Acute & Chronic Aortic Dissections

An aortic dissection is a tear in the aorta. It typically occurs when the inner layer of the artery’s wall weakens. A small tear forms in this layer, and, if left untreated, it can enlarge. Blood can pass through the tear into the middle layer of the wall, causing the layers to separate from one another, or dissect.

Coarctation

A coarctation is a narrowing of the aorta. Although born with this condition, many people have no symptoms, and the condition often isn’t detected until adulthood. The most common symptom is high blood pressure in adults. 

Bicuspid aortic valve

A bicuspid aortic valve may cause the heart’s aortic valve to narrow. This in return prevents the valve from opening fully, which reduces or blocks blood flow from the heart to the body.

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair 

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair fixes an aneurysm in your aorta. An aneurysm is a weak or bulging part of a vein or artery. Without repair, this can be a life threatening problem. 

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) 

Aortic aneurysm repair is surgery to fix a weak and bulging section of the aorta. The aorta is the large blood vessel (artery) that carries blood from the heart through the chest and belly to the rest of the body. An aortic aneurysm that is not repaired may burst (rupture). This can be life-threatening.

Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (AAA) 

Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is a type of surgery. It fixes an aneurysm in your aorta. An aneurysm is a weak or bulging part of a vein or artery. Your aorta is a large artery that carries blood from your heart through your belly to the rest of your body. Without surgery to fix this problem, your aorta could burst. This can cause death. 

Peripheral Arterial Disease 

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is narrowing or blockage of arteries in your arms and legs. The most common cause of PAD is the buildup of plaque on the inside of arteries. Plaque is made of extra cholesterol, calcium, and other material in your blood. Over time, plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries, including those that supply blood to your legs. This buildup leads to poor blood flow.

Femoral to Popliteal Bypass 

This type of surgery redirects blood around a blocked blood vessel in your leg. It may improve blood flow. 

Carotid Endarterectomy

Carotid Endarterectomy removes fatty buildup (plaque) from one of the carotid arteries. There are two of these arteries. One runs along each side of the neck, supplying blood to your brain.

Femoral-tibial Bypass 

Femoral-tibial bypass redirects blood around blocked blood vessels in your lower leg or foot. It is often done if you have pain,or it may be done if you have foot sores caused by circulation problems.

Toe Amputation 

Toe amputation is surgery to remove one or more toes. You will get medicine to help you relax and numb your foot. Then your physician will make a cut (incision) to remove your toe. 

Aortobifemoral Bypass 

An aortobifemoral bypass is surgery to move blood flow around blocked blood vessels in your belly or groin area. This will increase blood flow to your legs and may improving walking. 

Foot amputation

Foot amputation is surgery to remove part or all of your foot. Your surgeon will leave as much healthy skin, blood vessels, and nerve tissue as possible. He or she will leave enough healthy skin to cover the residual limb or the remaining part of your foot. 

A Below-the-Knee Amputation 

A below-the-knee amputation is surgery to remove your leg below the knee. Your surgeon removes the leg and keeps as much healthy skin, blood vessels, and nerve tissue as possible.  Having your leg removed is traumatic. You have to learn to live with new limitations.

An Above-the-Knee Amputation 

An above-the-knee amputation  is surgery to remove your leg above the knee. Your physician removes the leg and keeps as much healthy skin, blood vessels, and nerve tissue as possible.

Varicose Veins 

Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin. They develop most often in the legs and ankles. Some people may be more likely than others to get varicose veins because of aging or hormone changes or because a parent has them.

Sclerotherapy 

Sclerotherapy  is a treatment to get rid of varicose veins. A chemical called a sclerosant is injected into the varicose vein. This causes the vein to close.

Microphlebectomy

Microphlebectomy is a procedure used to remove varicose veins. These are twisted and enlarged veins near the surface of the skin. The procedure is also called ambulatory phlebectomy or stab avulsion.

Endovenous Ablation

Endovenous ablation is a procedure to close off varicose veins. Endovenous means that the procedure is done inside the vein. Ablation means a physician uses heat to damage and close off the vein. Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin.