Thoracic Surgery

Nurses

Julia Coleman, Nurse Coordinator

Conditions We Treat

• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Esophageal dysmotility (e.g. achalasia)
• Paraesophageal and hiatal hernia
• Chest trauma
• End stage lung disease
• Chest wall deformities
• Non-cancerous esophageal conditions
• Tracheal disease
• Carcinoid
• Lung infections (aspergillosis, histoplasmosis)
• Infections of the pleural space (empyema)
• Pleural effusions
• Esophageal diverticula
• Mediastinal masses
• Hyperhidrosis
• Refractory tachyarrhythmias
• Disorders of the diaphragm
• Thymoma

Procedures We Perform

• Minimally invasive thoracic surgery (video assisted thoracoscopic and robotic)
• Open lung resection
• Bronchial resection
• Pneumonectomy
• Mediastinoscopy
• Endobronchial ultrasound
• Lung transplant
• Esophagectomy
• Hiatal and paraesophageal hernia repair
• Chest wall reconstruction
• Indwelling pleural catheter placement
• Rib plating
• Lung volume reduction surgery
• Heller myotomy
• Thoracic sympathectomy
• Esophageal diverticulectomy
• Diaphragm plication
• Diaphragm reconstruction
• Tracheal resection and plication
• Tracheal stenting
• ECMO
• Thymectomy (open and minimally invasive)

Lung and Chest Surgery – Benign (Non-Cancerous)

Our surgeons treat benign lung problems including spontaneous pneumothorax, pulmonary infections, bleeding, lung abscesses, pleural effusions, congenital lung malformations. They also operate for chest deformities such as pectus excavatum and to relieve airway and tracheal blockages. Minimally invasive thoracic surgery is frequently used.

Lung Cancer Surgery

UNC offers the most up-to-date advances in diagnostic tools, surgical techniques, and medical and radiation therapies to provide the highest quality of care to patients who have lung or other chest cancers, or who need to be evaluated and diagnosed. We have highly skilled surgeons who specialize in treatment of lung and chest cancers. The surgeons work with other lung cancer specialists at UNC (nationally known oncologists, pulmonologists, radiologists, pathologists and others) in the Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program to deliver well-coordinated and efficient care to patients.

The Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program (MTOP) at UNC Hospitals was organized in 1993 to offer high quality, advanced care to patients in an efficient manner. We see patients who may need testing for lung cancer or who have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Our patients come from all over North Carolina and from elsewhere in the United States.

In one day, patients can be evaluated by highly skilled specialists in pulmonary medicine, thoracic surgery, medical and radiation oncology, thoracic radiology, pathology, and oncology nursing. UNC’s MTOP physicians offer every possible treatment option, ensuring the best care for suspected or proven cancers of the lung, esophagus, thymus, chest wall or mediastinum.

Make an Appointment

Patients: If you are requesting a referral from your current care provider (Primary Care Provider, Cardiologist, etc.) please provide them with this link for our referral process.

For making your appointment directly: Call, Send, Confirm

1. Call: to schedule appointment

• • Thoracic Appointments: 919-966-3383

2. Send: Provide test results prior to the first appointment

• • Test results should be provided (via Powershare (for providers), faxed, or mailed prior to the first appointment.  This allows providers to review all information prior to seeing the patient.
    • Powershare: Upload images to “UNCHealthcare”
    • Fax: 919-966-3475
    • Mailing address:
      • UNC Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
        3040 Burnett-Womack Bldg., CB #7065
        Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7065

3. Confirm: Follow up to confirm receipt and/or ask questions.

• • For Thoracic Surgery: 919-966-3383

We look forward to partnering with you for the next steps in your care!