Cardiothoracic surgery in Manchester, New Hampshire
We work to support your cardiac, pulmonary and esophageal health with complete cardiothoracic care.
At Catholic Medical Center, our compassionate physicians understand the impacts cardiothoracic issues can have. To promote your lasting health, we use personalized treatments, which can include surgical and nonsurgical care.
Types of cardiothoracic conditions we treat
Thoracic surgery targets the organs in the chest cavity, primarily the lungs. Our cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons treat many of these types of conditions, including:
- Empyema
- Lung cancer
- Lung nodules
- Mediastinal tumors
- Pleural space diseases
Cardiothoracic surgery services we provide
Our surgeons have board certifications in general, cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery, and all our respiratory services staff members are licensed by the National Board for Respiratory Care and the State of New Hampshire. We also have nurse navigators to provide guidance before surgery and in recovery. These specialized professionals facilitate the coordination of care while you undergo treatment for lung cancer and other chest malignancies. They come together to work towards positive outcomes and successful implementation of crucial diagnostic tests and surgical procedures.
Procedures our cardiothoracic surgeons offer
One of our priorities is growing our program and proficiencies so we can provide you with the highest quality care. The technologists and physicians at our facility have met and exceeded stringent guidelines, and our program has a three-star designation by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, a distinction only earned by the top cardiac surgery centers in the United States. Our radiology department is also designated as an accredited lung cancer screening center by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
Diagnostic low-dose computerized tomography (CT) lung screenings
Lung cancer remains the number one cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. Low-dose CT lung screenings are simple, advanced procedures that can provide critical, early detection of lung cancer.
You may be eligible for one of these screenings if you:
- Are between 50 and 77 years old
- Currently smoke
- Have a history of smoking in the last 20 years
If you meet these criteria, speak with your primary care provider to obtain an order for screening.
Robot-assisted thoracic surgery
We are home to one of the most experienced robotic surgery programs in southern New Hampshire. Our thoracic surgery team uses minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgery whenever possible, and has decades of experience successfully using this technology. The many possible benefits of this procedure include a shorter hospital stay, fewer potential surgical complications and less pain during recovery.
Minimally invasive, robot-assisted thoracic surgery offers extreme precision in removing concerning masses or tumors from the lungs. The incision is small, causing less disturbance to the rest of the chest cavity, compared to traditional thoracic surgery. We also use long-acting local anesthetics and a process called cryoanalgesia, which freezes the nerve endings at the surgical site to reduce discomfort, without the need for narcotics.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
VATS is far less invasive than open thoracic surgery, offering shorter healing times and less discomfort. Cryoanalgesia is also used in combination with regional anesthesia, allowing for early discharge from the hospital, without the need for prescription narcotics.