Thoracic Surgery

When you have a condition that affects your chest, lungs or airways, symptoms like breathlessness, cough or chest pain can affect your life in many ways. At Cleveland Clinic London, a team of the U.K.’s finest thoracic surgeons focuses on improving your quality of life using the most advanced procedures available. They specialise in minimally invasive (keyhole) and robotic surgical techniques that help you feel better faster, with fewer risks and less pain. This is achieved with the support of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) that collaborates to ensure every patient receives the best treatment possible.

Highlights of our thoracic surgery programme include:

• State-of-the-art-technology: Our hybrid operating theatre has the most sophisticated imaging and surgical technology in the world. Access to the newest navigational bronchoscope allows us to examine and biopsy tumours in hard-to-reach areas of the lungs without surgery. We also have the latest-generation robotic surgical system and the capability to provide CT-guided lung procedures. These instruments help us diagnose and treat you in a minimally invasive way with unparalleled precision.
• Comprehensive lung cancer treatment: We work with The London Clinic, a leader in cancer treatment, to provide complete cancer services. You receive full medical oncology, radiation therapy and other oncology services when you have lung cancer surgery at Cleveland Clinic London. Your thoracic surgeon collaborates directly with your consultants at The London Clinic to monitor progress and streamline your care.
• Care for complex conditions: Our thoracic surgeons have in-depth knowledge of uncommon and difficult-to-treat thoracic conditions. They specialise in congenital and traumatic chest wall abnormalities, severe COPD, mesothelioma and lung metastases (cancer that has spread to the lungs). Their breadth of experience makes them uniquely qualified to care for any thoracic disease, no matter how complex.
• Surgical innovators: Consultants on our team have introduced ground breaking surgical techniques to the world. These achievements include leading the first team in Europe to successfully use the latest version of navigational bronchoscopy and being first in the world to use microwave ablation to destroy lung tumours without open surgery.
• Minimally invasive treatments: Whenever possible, we perform your surgery using keyhole or robotic-assisted procedures that help you recover faster and with less pain. We may use robotic technology to perform lung cancer surgery or diaphragm plication (reshaping your diaphragm so you can breathe better). We also offer video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).

Multidisciplinary care

At Cleveland Clinic London, our consultants adopt a multidisciplinary approach to identify the best treatment plan for each patient.

In addition to thoracic surgeons, we have a diverse range of experts from various disciplines forming our multidisciplinary team (MDT). They come together and share their clinical expertise to offer comprehensive and holistic care to patients. The team includes chest/respiratory specialists, radiologists, oncologists, clinical nurse specialists and physiotherapists.

Our thoracic surgeons also collaborate with experts from different specialties who contribute to your care. Depending on your condition, you will receive coordinated input from cardiologists, respiratory physicians, gastroenterologists, otolaryngologists, neurosurgeons and other experts.

Thoracic Conditions We Treat

Our surgeons treat the full range of diseases affecting the chest cavity, including:

• Airway diseases and obstructions.
• Chest wall conditions, including pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema.
• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
• Hyperhidrosis.
• Lung cancer and mesothelioma.
• Lung nodules.
• Myasthenia gravis.
• Paralysed diaphragm.
• Pleural effusion.
• Rib injuries and rib abnormalities, including slipping rib syndrome.
• Thoracic abnormalities related to connective tissue disorders and neuromuscular disorders.
• Thoracic outlet syndrome.

Our thoracic surgeons bring you some of the most advanced procedures for lung and chest conditions. Many of these treatments aren’t widely available in London because few private centres have surgeons with this high level of training and expertise. At Cleveland Clinic London, you receive world-class care close to home.

Robotic thoracic surgery

Our team includes experts in robotic-assisted thoracic surgery. These surgeons have undergone extensive fellowship training in this highly complex surgical technique. Robotic surgery offers a variety of benefits over traditional open surgery, including:

• Enhanced precision.
• Fewer risks.
• Less postoperative pain.
• Quicker recovery.
• Smaller incisions.

We may recommend robotic-assisted techniques for:

• Chest wall surgery.
• Diaphragmatic surgery.
• Lung cancer surgery.
• Lung resection.
• Mediastinal surgery.

Bronchoscopic microwave ablation of lung nodules

We are among the only centres in Europe offering bronchoscopic microwave ablation of lung nodules. We use navigational bronchoscopy to perform this procedure:

1. Your thoracic surgeon inserts a special instrument (bronchoscope) through your nose or mouth.
2. The bronchoscope uses electromagnetic navigation and CT technology to create a detailed map of your lungs.
3. Your surgeon uses this map to find lung nodules and destroy them with heat, so you don’t need surgery.

Lung cancer surgery

Our thoracic surgeons specialise in lung-sparing surgery to remove lung cancer. A traditional lobectomy removes the entire lobe. But during lung segmentectomy, or segmental lung resection, we remove only the diseased part of the lung lobe, preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

Segmentectomy can help you have better lung function after lung cancer surgery. We perform segmentectomy using minimally invasive techniques, such as robotic-assisted or video-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS or VATS).

Surgery for pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum

We treat the full range of chest wall abnormalities of the breastbone and ribs. Our surgeons specialise in caring for young adults with congenital (present at birth) deformities such as pectus excavatum (sunken breastbone), also called “funnel chest.” We also treat pectus carinatum (protruding breastbone), sometimes called “pigeon chest.”

Our surgeons help you achieve your cosmetic goals and address any medical issues related to the lungs. Treatment can improve the appearance of your chest, relieve shortness of breath and enhance your exercise tolerance.

Our surgeries for pectus abnormalities include:

• Nuss procedure: This minimally invasive pectus excavatum surgery uses small incisions and a special camera to implant a titanium bar behind the breastbone. The bar pushes your breastbone forward, gradually helping it grow in the right direction. The bar stays in place for two to four years. In some cases, we may use a modified version of this procedure to compress the breastbone if you have pectus carinatum.
• Ravitch procedure: This open chest surgery treats pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum. A surgeon removes cartilage attached to your rib cage and straightens the breastbone using special patches that eventually grow into your tissue. You don’t need a bar implanted in your chest.
• Pigeon chest bracing: We may recommend nonoperative compression bracing for pectus carinatum. You receive a custom-fitted brace that you gradually tighten on your own over three to six months. Your thoracic surgeon monitors your progress and may do a CT scan to measure chest wall compression.

Lung volume reduction surgery for severe COPD and emphysema

We are among only a few private centres in London offering bronchoscopic lung volume reduction for severe COPD and emphysema. We use minimally invasive, endoscopic techniques to implant tiny, one-way valves in your airways.

These valves remove air from your lungs and reduce overinflation, so your lungs work better. Our thoracic surgeons also offer lung volume reduction surgery to remove the damaged parts of your lungs that aren’t functioning.

Sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) is usually treated non-surgically with medication, injections or thermolysis (heat-based electrolysis). But if these treatments haven’t worked, you may be a candidate for hyperhidrosis surgery.

During this procedure, called sympathectomy, surgeons cut part of the nerve in your chest that signals your sweat glands to work. After surgery, you stop sweating in your face, palms and armpits. This procedure can also help with excessive blushing.

Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Self-Pay Services

Whether you need a cardiac MRI scan, or want to know the cost of interventional cardiology, sports cardiology, surgical procedures or other services, we can help. Cleveland Clinic London has the most innovative tests and treatments available for self-pay, so you’re prepared for whatever turn your health takes. Find out more.

Learn More

Contact us or call +44 20 3423 7500 for more information including booking an appointment.

For specific information about our heart, vascular or thoracic services you can also email the HVTI access team [email protected].