Virginia Mason’s Thoracic Surgery Department is the leading esophageal and pulmonary center in the Pacific Northwest. Our team of thoracic surgeons are experts in a variety of minimally invasive and robotic techniques, and perform hundreds of complex operations annually. We coordinate specialty care delivery for patients in the Pacific Northwest and from across the United States.

Thoracic surgery patients receive individualized care at every stage of their journey including extensive pulmonary testing, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and esophageal motility studies. This allows each patient's treatment plan tailored to best meet their needs.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with our thoracic surgeons, call (206) 341-1905.

Conditions Treated

The Virginia Mason thoracic surgery team helps patients with the following conditions:

  • Lung Cancer
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Paraesophageal Hernias
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux
  • Chest Wall Diseases and Deformities
  • Diaphragm Rupture or Hernia
  • Diseases of the Airway
  • Diseases of the Pleura
  • Endoscopic Sympathectomy to Treat Hyperhidrosis
  • Esophageal Surgery
  • Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
  • Mediastinal Masses
  • Swallowing Problems
  • Thoracic Outlet Surgery
  • Thoracoscopic Surgery

Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery

The thoracic surgeons at Virginia Mason are trained to perform a wide variety of surgical procedures. Our team often employs minimally-invasive techniques including advanced laparoscopic, video-assisted surgery and robotic surgery. Robotic surgery represents an extension of minimally invasive surgical approach, allowing us to perform operations through small incisions, while using sophisticated instruments mimicking the human wrists. This is helpful when working in the chest to allow the surgeon to dissect and move around vital structures.

Benefits of minimally-invasive surgery include:

  • Reduced pain
  • Fewer complications
  • Shorter recovery times

Multidisciplinary Care

Surgical care at Virginia Mason is performed with a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Our thoracic surgery department works closely with the renowned teams in gastroenterology, pulmonary medicinedigestive diseases and cancer, as well as many other specialties to ensure we offer the most advanced treatment.

Thoracic Surgery Research — Benaroya Research Institute (BRI)

Thoracic surgery patients benefit from a partnership with the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI), dedicated to discovering new treatments and approaches to pulmonary disease. Virginia Mason patients benefit from groundbreaking research taking place on a daily basis. As a patient you may be offered the opportunity to be part of a research study and improve future patient outcomes.