Comprehensive Thoracic Program

Piedmont has the largest Thoracic Surgery program and highest volume robotic surgery program in the region. 

With comprehensive services, our team at Piedmont Heart Institute uses the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies available to care for both routine and complex thoracic conditions, including:

• Anti-esophageal reflux procedures
• Benign esophageal disease (reflux, hernia, fistula, stricture)
• Complex surgical interventions for lung, esophageal, mediastinal and chest wall cancers
• Empyema (infection of the chest cavity)
• Hiatal hernia
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
• Recurrent pneumonia
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Treatment of pleural effusions (fluid around the lung)

Our Lung Nodule Clinic team is skilled at diagnosing and treating small lung nodules of uncertain significance. Our multidisciplinary team of radiologists, pulmonologists and thoracic specialists work together to determine if follow-up studies should be scheduled and when a biopsy may be required. For more information on the Lung Nodule Clinic, please call 404-605-LUNG (5864).
 

Thoracic Surgery Excellence at Piedmont

Our board-certified thoracic surgeons in Atlanta, Athens, and Augusta have extensive expertise in managing the full spectrum of benign and malignant diseases of the lung and airway, esophagus, mediastinum and chest wall. We are also nationally recognized as one of the leaders in placing diaphragm pacing systems to aid quadriplegic and other patients with diaphragm dysfunction.

Our comprehensive program provides seamless coordination of care and collaboration with patients and referring physicians from a team of thoracic experts, including:

• Thoracic surgeons
• Pulmonologists
• Interventional pulmonologists
• Gastroenterologists
• Pathologists
• Medical oncologists
• Radiation oncologists
• Dedicated thoracic advanced care practitioners
• Dedicated thoracic nursing and respiratory therapy
• Lung cancer nurse navigator
   

Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgical Standards of Care

The thoracic surgical program at Piedmont is a continual leader in minimally invasive and robotic surgical expertise. The team at Piedmont has years of experience and training in minimally invasive and robotic surgery to improve patient outcomes with surgery. 

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery is fast becoming the standard of care. The Piedmont team provides our expertise to treat various complex cases with minimally invasive techniques. Patients are assessed based on their unique clinical needs and offered minimally invasive approaches whenever it is possible. In addition, we use a multimodality approach to pain, which limits the need for narcotics and speeds recovery after surgery. We utilize long-acting nerve blocks and non-narcotic pain medications to limit the need for narcotics while still providing superior pain relief and faster recovery.

The benefits of minimally invasive surgery include:

• Faster recovery with less post-operative pain
• Less blood loss
• Less scar tissue
• Less trauma and tissue damage
• Lower risk of infection
• Shorter length of stay
• Smaller incisions
   

Appointments Available at Regional Clinics

With coordinated care available at our regional clinics, our thoracic specialists see patients where it’s more convenient – closer to your home. If you have questions about thoracic care at Piedmont Heart Institute, please call our team at 404-605-5111, and we’ll be happy to help you.