Surgery of the chest, led by a board-certified thoracic surgeon.
Summit Surgical Institute uses state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures to address diseases of the chest — the lungs, the esophagus, the chest wall, and the mediastinum, the space between the lungs.
Prefer to talk it through first? Call (201) 488-6445 in New Jersey or (516) 233-1952 in New York.
What thoracic surgery covers
Thoracic surgery deals with everything inside the chest apart from the heart itself. That includes the lungs, the airways, the swallowing tube, the ribs and breastbone, and the glands and structures that sit between the lungs.
People come to us for very different reasons. Some have had a spot found on a CT scan. Some have heartburn that no longer responds to medication. Some cannot catch their breath because of emphysema. Some have chest pain or a chest wall deformity that has bothered them since childhood.
Many of these operations can now be done with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) — working through small incisions with a camera instead of opening the chest. It is not the right approach for everyone, and part of your consultation is working out honestly whether it is right for you.
Your surgeon
Gary M. Kline, MD, MPH, FCCP, FACS — our Chief Thoracic Surgeon, board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, with cardiovascular and thoracic training at the University of Pennsylvania.
Full profile and credentialsQuestions about thoracic surgery?
We have answered the ones patients ask most often, plus a plain-English glossary of the terms you will hear. Read the answers.
Conditions we treat
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Pancoast tumors
- Tumors and cancer of the chest wall
- Mediastinal disease and mediastinum tumors
- Esophageal tumors
- Esophagus disease
- Reflux disease (GERD)
- Hiatal hernia
- Emphysema
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Pulmonary infections
- Myasthenia gravis
- Hyperhidrosis (sweaty palms)
- Pleural effusion requiring thoracentesis
Procedures we perform
From diagnostic procedures done in under an hour to major reconstructions of the chest wall and airway.
Minimally invasive & diagnostic
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
- Thoracoscopy
- Mediastinoscopy
- Bronchoscopy, including tracheal and bronchial stent placement
- Chest tube insertion
- Radiofrequency ablation of tumors
Lung & airway
- Lobectomy
- Lung volume reduction surgery
- Emphysema treatment and surgery
- Lung and wedge resections
- Tracheal stenting, resection and reconstruction
Esophagus & swallowing
- Esophageal surgery
- Esophageal resection
- Gastroesophageal junction cancer surgery
- Stent placement for esophageal conditions
Chest wall & other
- Chest wall reconstruction and resection
- Pectus repair
- Thymectomy
- Sympathectomy (for hyperhidrosis)
- Thoracic outlet surgery
- AICD and pacemaker placement and extraction
Talk it through with Dr. Kline
Bring any records, x-rays or films from your referring doctor. We will go over what the tests show and what your realistic options are — including the option of not operating.