Thoracic Surgery

UCLA is one of the busiest Thoracic Surgery Programs in the Western United States. Our Thoracic Surgeons are specialized in non-cardiac thoracic pathology. This includes, but is not limited to, the following conditions and operations:

Surgery for benign and malignant chest conditions
- Airway surgery
  - Tracheal tumor
  - Tracheal stenosis
- Barrett's esophagus
- Chest wall malformations
  - Pectus carinatum
  - Pectus excavatum
- Chest wall tumor
- Diaphragmatic hernia
  - Hiatal hernia
  - Paraesophageal hernia
- Esophageal cancer
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Germ cell tumor
- Lung nodule, lung cancer, and lung metastasis
- Mediastinum
  - Mediastinal tumor
  - Myasthenia gravis
  - Thymoma and thymic carcinoma
- Mesothelioma
- Pleural disease and pleural effusions
- Pericardial disease and pericardial effusions
- Sarcoma
Surgical repair of chest wall deformity: pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum
Surgery for benign esophageal diseases: achalasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease
Lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema
Thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis
First rib resection for thoracic outlet syndrome

We use all the latest technology when appropriate, including lasers, bronchial and esophageal stents, minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery, and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), and computer-assisted robotic surgery.

Thoracic Surgery at UCLA offers patients admitted to the Thoracic Surgery Service with a team of doctors, case managers, nurses, nurse practitioners, physical and occupational therapists, respiratory technicians, and social workers committed to the care of individuals with chest diseases.