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Clinical Strengths

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Upstate thoracic surgeons are fellowship-trained experts in the surgical management of chest diseases. Our surgeons utilize the latest in minimally invasive surgical techniques, including the Da Vinci robotic surgical platform, to provide patients with management strategies that optimize recovery and provide superior outcomes. Greater than 90% of our procedures are performed using minimally invasive strategies.

Upstate Cancer Center's Thoracic Oncology Program

The Upstate Cancer Center provides the ideal location for the multidisciplinary management of lung and esophageal cancer. Our Thoracic Oncology Program meets weekly to review every new cancer referral made to our program. TOP conference is attended by at least one representative from thoracic radiology, interventional radiology, pulmonology, medical oncology, thoracic surgery, and radiation oncology. The robust attendance at TOP conference means that every case has the benefit of experts from each field providing their opinion on each case. The TOP program is fortunate to have faculty that are considered national and international leaders in their respective fields which allows our patients to have access to the latest and most progressive clinical trials.

Experts in Thoracic Surgery

Unique to Central New York though nearly standard amongst academic institutions, Upstate’s cardiac and thoracic surgeons are separate and distinct divisions. Our thoracic surgeons focus on the benign and malignant diseases of the chest while our cardiac surgeons focus solely on cardiovascular disease. The distinction insures that our thoracic surgeons are focused everyday on the conditions effecting our thoracic surgery population.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database

Our surgeons are members of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and choose to participate in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database program. The STS database tracks clinical outcomes from major thoracic surgeries to promote the highest quality surgical care and patient safety.

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