The Thoracic Surgery Division of Rockland Thoracic and Vascular Associates provides state-of-the-art treatment for benign and malignant diseases of the chest cavity. Our Board Certified Thoracic Surgeons also comprise the Division of Thoracic Surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center led by Dr. Joshua Sonett.

Our patients benefit from a team approach to the management of thoracic surgical problems. The combined effort of experienced surgeons, talented pulmonologists, oncologists and anesthesiologists provide the highly competent atmosphere leading to the successful treatment of thoracic disease. Our liberal use of minimally invasive techniques such as Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (when appropriate) and thoracic epidural catheters for pain management leads to a more comfortable and rapid recovery. We are also able to offer the latest up-to-date laparascopic techniques for esophageal reflux and thymus surgery.

Some of the services offered at our community hospitals include:

Lung Cancer

Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)

VATS Lung resections

Benign Esophageal Disease and Reflux Surgery

Esophageal Cancer Surgery

Tracheal or Bronchial Disease

Pacemaker Surgery and Monitoring

Chest Wall Abnormalities

Pericardial Disease

Pleural Effusions and Pleural Disease

Hyperhidrosis Treatment (excessive sweating)

We also offer the surgical treatment of emphysema and end-stage lung disease at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. The association with the Jo-Anne F. LeBuhn Center for Chest Disorders and Respiratory Failure has provided the arena for a multidisciplinary approach to patients with end stage lung disease. Led by Dr. Mark Ginsburg, our thoracic group is nationally known in the field of Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS) for the treatment of emphysema. Results of the largest study of bilateral lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) to treat severe emphysema indicate that, on average, patients who undergo LVRS with medical therapy are more likely to function better after two years and do not face an increased risk of death compared to those who receive medical therapy only. Of 17 participating sites throughout the United States, the New York-Presbyterian Center for Chest Disease at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center was the only New York metropolitan area participant.

We are also very proud of our Lung Transplantation Program, the most successful single-lung and double-lung transplant program in New York. Dr. Joshua R. Sonett directs the lung transplant program with the assistance of experienced transplant surgeons, Frank D’Ovidio and Matthew Bacchetta.

Primary hyperhidrosis is a poorly understood entity with severe social, professional, and psychological influences. Neither the incidence nor the etiology of the disease is known. Most patients have suffered with the symptoms of excessive sweating of the hands and feet for many years. Symptoms often begin in early adolescence and persist into adulthood. Excessive sweating is spontaneous, but any situation provoking anxiety severely worsens the problem. Endoscopic sympathectomy (ETS) is a highly effective treatment for patients with palmar or facial hyperhidrosis. ETS allows simultaneous treatment of both sides with a very low risk of complications. Attention to surgical detail is important to achieve excellent long-term results. We continue to lead the New York metropolitan area in minimally invasive thoracoscopic procedures, and especially ETS at the Columbia University Medical Center Hyperhidrosis Center led by Dr. Lyall Gorenstein.

Please visit our Columbia University Medical Center web site.