Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery

Advanced Cardiac and Thoracic Surgical Care Close to Home

The Division of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery at Lahey Clinic includes the Section of Cardiac Surgery and the Section of Thoracic Surgery.

Our team, led by our eminent cardiac and thoracic surgeons, provides highly advanced, world class and personalized care for patients with conditions affecting the heart, great arteries and veins, lungs, trachea, esophagus, chest wall and mediastinum.

We offer comprehensive care closer to home, without the need to travel into Boston. We treat each person, first and foremost, as an individual, with compassion, personal attention and true caring.

Our surgeons are on the academic faculty of UMass Chan Medical School, and some are adjunct faculty at Tufts University School of Medicine as well.

Expert Surgeons

Thoracic surgery care is led by highly trained cardiothoracic surgeons with advanced fellowship training and experience across complex heart surgery and thoracic procedures. These surgeons treat both benign and cancer-related conditions and stay current with evolving surgical techniques.

Care is delivered through an expansive approach, working closely with cardiologists, pulmonologists, oncologists, radiologists and other specialists to ensure every part of care is coordinated.

Meet the team of cardiothoracic surgeons and specialists who guide care from diagnosis through recovery. 

Robotic and Minimally Invasive Techniques

For appropriate conditions, thoracic surgeons use robotic surgery, robot-assisted surgery and other minimally invasive surgery techniques. These approaches may allow for smaller incisions, less pain and faster recovery compared to open surgery.

Advanced techniques are used for many types of cardiothoracic surgical procedures, including select lung, esophageal and mediastinal surgeries, while maintaining a strong focus on safety and long-term outcomes.

What To Expect with Surgery

Before Your Surgery

You will undergo a series of tests before your surgery. The testing required is specific to the type of surgery you are having and your other medical conditions. Common preoperative tests include ECG, CT scan, cardiac catheterization and ultrasound scans. You will meet with a member of our anesthesia staff and have standard preoperative blood work.

Each patient meets with our nursing staff for a teaching visit, to understand how to prepare for your surgery and to discuss postoperative expectations and restrictions.

If your surgery is more than 30 days from meeting with your surgeon, you will meet with a member of the outpatient APP staff for an updated history and physical exam.

These results are reviewed by your surgeon and APP staff to ensure you are safe to move forward.

After Your Surgery

Your postoperative course will be unique to you and the procedure that you underwent. Your surgeon and care team will discuss the specifics with you while you are in hospital.

At Home Care After Surgery

You will have visiting nurse services at home. They will check your vital signs, evaluate your incisions and ensure you are taking the correct medications.

You will be provided with detailed instructions to best recover from your surgery.

Our outpatient APP staff are available to answer any questions from 8:00 pm – 5:00 pm at 781-744-8570. You can reach out to the on-call staff member after hours at 781-744-5100, pager 8616.

You will have a visit with a member of our outpatient APP staff about 2 weeks after surgery. Further follow-up care will be determined during that visit.

We recommend a visit with your cardiologist 4-6 weeks from your surgery date.

Request an Appointment or Second Opinion

Appointments and second opinions are available for people seeking thoracic surgery care, including evaluation of complex or rare conditions. Referrals may come from another provider or you may request directly, depending on your care needs.

• Working hours: 781-744-8570 (for direct consultations, second opinions and postoperative support)
  
• After hours: 781-744-5100 (for postoperative patients; ask for the Cardiothoracic Surgery APP on call at beeper 8616)

Referring providers can find more information on making a referral here.