Thoracic surgery (chest and heart surgery)

Thoracic surgeons are doctors with special training to operate in the chest cavity. This includes the lungs, heart and esophagus.

They use surgery to treat conditions like these:

• defects of the heart valves, great vessels and trachea
• coronary artery disease, severe heart failure and cardiomyopathy
• cancers of the esophagus, lungs and chest wall.

Related Resources

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease - pediatric

Medical transportation services

Medical equipment services

Locations

Abbott Northwestern Hospital: Minneapolis Heart Institute®

Buffalo Hospital: Surgical & Outpatient Surgery Center

Cambridge Medical Center: Surgery services

Mercy Hospital: Cardiovascular surgery

New Ulm Medical Center: Surgery Department

Owatonna Hospital: Surgery Center

River Falls Area Hospital: Heart care services

St. Francis Regional Medical Center: Surgical Services

United Hospital: Surgical Care Center

Unity Hospital: Cardiovascular surgery

First published: 08/01/2004
Last updated: 01/26/2010

Reviewed by: Steven Bergeson, MD, medical director of quality, Allina Hospitals & Clinics; J Richard Sheely, MD, medical director, Quello Clinic