Thoracic surgeons at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center are expanding the use of robotic surgery to the treatment of lung, esophageal, mediastinal, and thymic cancers and other disorders. They are able to perform some lobectomy, esophagectomy, and thymectomy procedures using this approach.
Hyperhidrosis, or over perspiration, is caused by excessive secretion of the sweat glands. This disorder affects a small but significant proportion of young people all over the world. The cause of the sweating is believed to be over stimulation of the sympathetic nerves that supply the offending sweat glands.
Coronary artery disease afflicts a large number of Americans. When cholesterol and calcium build up in the arteries (the vessels that pump blood from the heart throughout the body), this can cause blockages or “hardening” of one or more arteries. If left untreated, the blockages can cause a heart attack.
Achalasia affects the muscle of the esophagus. This disorder causes the band separating the stomach from the esophagus to spasm, which can prevent food from reaching the stomach normally. Currently, it is not known what factors cause achalasia.
Patients suffering from achalasia usually complain of intermittent regurgitation (food coming back up into the esophagus from the stomach) and food feeling like it is "sticking" in the esophagus after swallowing.
Many cardiothoracic surgery centers will not operate on patients over age 80, considering them to be at high risk for complications. At Weill Cornell Medicine, we frequently treat patients over 80 with complex cases—and have garnered a reputation as experts in doing so.
Weill Cornell Medicine’s unique approach
As with all patients, the care of older patients requires a team approach. Elderly patients often have other medical conditions that need to be considered and addressed.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscular valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus. This valve normally prevents food in the stomach from regurgitating back up into the esophagus.
Patients with GERD have a weakened sphincter that allows stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. The esophageal lining becomes inflamed and patients experience heartburn, chest pain, and sometimes a sour taste in the mouth. If left untreated, GERD can lead to ulcer formation, bleeding, and scarring.
An esophagectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part of the esophagus. Nearby lymph nodes and a small part of the stomach may be removed as well. The remaining stomach is then pulled up to connect to the upper section of the esophagus.
Surgical removal of the esophagus has traditionally required a thoracotomy (an incision in the chest), as well as a laparotomy (abdominal incision). These incisions offer maximal exposure for the surgeon, but can cause significant postoperative pain and lung complications, including pneumonia.