Overview

Thoracic specialists confer on care.

Chest surgery at Mayo Clinic (also known as thoracic surgery) involves the organs of the chest, but extends to the esophagus (tube between mouth and stomach), the trachea (airway) and the chest wall (rib cage and breastbone). Surgeons at Mayo Clinic campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota work closely with colleagues in gastroenterology, oncology, pulmonology, radiation oncology and other specialties to ensure that you receive comprehensive, innovative and supportive care.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for surgical care

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Michael L. Kendrick, M.D., Chair, Department of Surgery: Department of Surgery at Mayo Clinic is at the cutting edge of technology and treatment options. We have a lot of experience with even the most very complex diagnoses and surgical conditions. With that experience will come the ability to perform operations or procedures that are rarely offered other places. The three shields are practice, research, and education.

Erica Loomis, M.D., Vice chair, Practice | Department of Surgery: How do you bring all those three things together? We use our research shield to advance the practice and we use the practice shield to advance education and everything in reverse.

Janani S. Reisenauer, M.D., Vice chair, Innovation | Department of Surgery: Every employee at Mayo Clinic is focused on the integration of three shields into every aspect of what they do for patient care. I would also say that our focus on education ensures that we're providing the best technologies and the best options for patients so that they have the best treatments available.

Todd E. Rasmussen, M.D., Vice chair, Education | Department of Surgery: The patient will quickly identify that he or she's in the center of things that we are all focused about the patient, about the clinical practice and his or her outcome; that we're able to bring in world-class researchers -- scientists to add to their care. It's a combination that is very unique and singular in the healthcare landscape,

Dr. Reisenauer: We implement a multidisciplinary team which involves people with research expertise so that patients are exposed to clinical trials.

Dr. Rasmussen: Our goal within the Department of Surgery is to train the next generation of surgeons for the world.

Dr. Kendrick: We're doing things today that weren't possible a few years ago. And I think that speaks to the mission of Mayo Clinic and the Department of Surgery.

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A team approach focused on you

Surgical specialists conferring on care.

Thoracic surgeons at Mayo Clinic collaborate with experts in many specialties to provide you with comprehensive care. These experts make up your integrated care team and include radiologists, pathologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, oncologists and doctors in many other specialties as well as nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Additional team members support various stages of the care you receive. This multidisciplinary team is personalized to your individual needs and incudes nurses, respiratory therapists, the pain service, pharmacists, and physical and occupational therapists.

Having all this expertise in a single place — focused on you — means that you're not just getting one opinion. Your care is discussed among the extended team, your test results are available quickly and appointments are scheduled in coordination. Specialists work together for you. Your evaluation can typically be done in a matter of days at Mayo Clinic.

Specialized expertise

Endoscopy testing Experienced, focused expertise for you

A Mayo Clinic thoracic surgeon performs a minimally invasive procedure.

Thoracic surgeons at Mayo Clinic perform over 2,000 procedures each year. Minimally invasive surgical techniques are emphasized when appropriate, including advanced laparoscopic, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic surgical approaches.

Research

Thoracic research

Mayo Clinic's long history of pioneering medical research means patients have access to state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities and numerous groundbreaking clinical trials. Mayo Clinic experts are constantly seeking new knowledge to improve diagnosis and therapies for patients with thoracic disease.

Contact

Arizona

  • Mayo Clinic Thoracic Surgery
  • 5881 E. Mayo Blvd.
    Phoenix, AZ 85054
  • Phone: 480-515-6296

Florida

  • Mayo Clinic Thoracic Surgery
  • 4500 San Pablo Road
    Jacksonville, FL 32224
  • Phone: 904-953-2000

Minnesota

  • Mayo Clinic Thoracic Surgery
  • 200 First St. SW
    Rochester, MN 55905
  • Phone: 507-284-2511
May 26, 2023