Chest Wall Surgery

Chest Wall Trauma and Rib Fractures

Chest wall trauma can be debilitating and painful. The UH Division of Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery offers care for all traumatic chest wall injuries (rib fracture, flail chest, sternal fracture). We have pioneered minimally invasive approaches and are using 3D printing and other novel techniques to improve healing and shorten recoveries.

Chest Wall Tumors

We specialize in treating benign and malignant chest wall tumors and reconstruction after surgery. Collaborating with colleagues in other disciplines, we coordinate a team-based approach for the treatment of these conditions to maximize outcomes.

Congenital Chest Wall

The UH Division of Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery treats many congenital chest wall abnormalities, including pectus excavatum. Pectus excavatum is not only a cosmetic defect but can have significant physiologic impacts on patients through compression of the heart. We offer a minimally invasive repair of this defect and innovative pain control measures to shorten postoperative recovery.

We also care for patients with thoracic outlet syndrome, which can lead to compression of arteries, veins, and nerves, which can affect the function of the arms. Both minimally invasive and traditional approaches for these conditions are available at UH.