Dr. Chmielewski
  • Home
  • Esophageal Surgery
    • Robotic-Assisted Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer
    • Robotic-Assisted Heller Myotomy for Achalasia
    • Robotic-Assisted Paraesophageal Hernia Repair
    • Reflux Surgery for GERD >
      • Workup
      • Robotic-Assisted Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation Device (LINX)
      • Robotic-Assisted Nissen Fundoplication
      • Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF)
  • Lung Surgery
    • Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy
    • VATS Wedge Resection
    • Thoracotomy
  • Lung Cancer Screening
  • Meet The Team
  • Resources

Lung Surgery

Patients come to our office for findings of lung nodules seen on an X ray or CT scan. These  nodules are not always cancer and are sometimes followed with repeat imaging and CT scans. When the nodules change or appear worrisome for cancer there are several options. Patients  can undergo a needle biopsy of the nodule (an outpatient procedure) for diagnosis. If the  nodule is found to be cancerous, they can be treated with surgery, or a combination of  chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment. Our physicians guide patients through this process  and often times utilize a multi-disciplinary hospital conference where physicians in thoracic  surgery, radiology, oncology, radiation therapy, and pulmonary medicine come together to  decide on best treatment options for that patient.
Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy:

Find Dr. Chmielewski on the Intuitive for Patients (DaVinci Surgery) surgeon directory here

The Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical platform is a state-of-the-art system to perform minimally  invasive surgery (MIS). This results in a shorter time in the hospital, less blood loss, fewer  complications, and a quicker return to your life. Powered by robotic technology that allows the  surgeons hand movements to be translated into smaller, precise movements inside the  patient's body. This system enables a surgeon to perform operations through a few small  incisions in the chest and also gives the surgeon a 3D high-definition view inside the body. The  surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic system at all times. Lung resections are performed  with the robot. Usually, the lobe of the lung where the nodule, mass, or cancer is located is  removed, along with all the lymph nodes in the area. Occasionally, the procedure cannot be  completed via small incisions, and this requires the procedure to be converted to a  thoracotomy (open procedure). The robotic platform is our main tool to perform surgery. Most  robotic surgery patients can expect an overnight stay in the hospital and discharge the next  day. 
VATS Wedge Resection:
Video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was the first minimally invasive surgery platform  introduced in the 1990s. This platform allows the surgeon to see inside the chest with a  handheld camera and table side video screens. Instruments are introduced into the chest cavity  through a small 4-to-6-inch incision and remove a portion of the lung. Our group utilizes VATS  for wedge resections, clean out of infections, and pleural biopsies.
Thoracotomy:
A thoracotomy involves a larger incision in the skin, division of the underlying muscles, and  spreading of the ribs. In our practice this incision is used when the surgeon is unable to use the  robotic system or VATS due to the size, location, or involvement of other structures by the  mass. This approach may lengthen length of stay and overall healing time. 
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  • Home
  • Esophageal Surgery
    • Robotic-Assisted Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer
    • Robotic-Assisted Heller Myotomy for Achalasia
    • Robotic-Assisted Paraesophageal Hernia Repair
    • Reflux Surgery for GERD >
      • Workup
      • Robotic-Assisted Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation Device (LINX)
      • Robotic-Assisted Nissen Fundoplication
      • Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF)
  • Lung Surgery
    • Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy
    • VATS Wedge Resection
    • Thoracotomy
  • Lung Cancer Screening
  • Meet The Team
  • Resources