Year after year, UCHealth’s Comprehensive Lung and Breathing Program in metro Denver is highly ranked in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Whether you live in or outside the Rocky Mountain region, our advanced lung specialists are here to see you. We use the most advanced procedures and technologies to try and relieve your short- and long-term respiratory problems.
To learn more about what our nationally-recognized care can do for you, call 720.848.4400.
The best treatment from the best team
Thoracic surgery involves procedures to treat the organs in your chest like your heart and lungs, and it extends to your esophagus and trachea. It also involves your rib cage and breastbone, called the chest wall.
Our thoracic surgeons have trained extensively in this specialty and have decades of experience. They work closely with our doctors in gastroenterology, oncology, pulmonology, pathology and other specialties to create a personalized plan for you.
Whatever your situation is, you’ll get an expert team dedicated to your surgery, your recovery and your future.
Our surgical specialties
We specialize in:
- Chest wall and chest deformity surgery
- Esophageal surgery
- Lung cancer surgery
- Lung transplants
- Lung volume reduction surgery
- Mediastinal surgery
- Minimally-invasive and robotic surgery (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery)
- Thoracic surgical oncology
- Tracheal surgery
Our physicians also diagnose lung and mediastinal diseases.
Advanced approach: robotic thoracic surgery
Our thoracic surgeons are experts in robotic surgery, a leading-edge, minimally invasive way to perform procedures like diagnostic lung biopsies, lobectomies and removing mediastinal tumors.
Robotic procedures offer high definition, magnified 3D views, and translate surgeons’ hand movements into small, precise movements of advanced instruments. This enhances vision, dexterity and precision.
Many patients who have undergone robotic surgery report less pain, early mobility and a quicker return to work.
Expertise in chest wall disorders
In addition to standard thoracic surgery, our surgeons are also experts in treating problems with the chest wall, including:
- Chest wall infections
- Chest wall trauma
- Chest wall tumors
- Cleft sternum
- Pectus carinatum
- Pectus carinatum (pigeon chest)
- Pectus excavatum (sunken chest)
- Poland syndrome
- Thoracic outlet syndrome: neurogenic, arterial and venous
- Post-sternotomy complications (e.g., unstable sternum, sternotomy dehiscence)
This means that our thoracic surgeons are able to handle anything that you might need.
Provider videos: understanding thoracic surgery
Understanding thoracic surgery through our providers (click an entry below to view that video)
- Lung surgery – different types, risks and recovery
- How do you treat lung cancer with surgery?
- What is robotic lung surgery?
- What is subglottic stenosis and is it life-threatening?
- What are the symptoms and treatments of upper airway tumors?
- What is pectus excavatum?
- How do you treat pectus excavatum?
Scheduling
Please call to schedule your appointment.
At your scheduled appointment, please provide all the following information:
- Photo ID
- Insurance card
- Referral (if needed)
To allow enough time to complete your check-in process, please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
We require 24 hour advance notice if you cannot make it to your scheduled appointment. If you have young children who will be accompanying you to your appointment, please try to bring another adult with you to sit with the children during your time.