For Immediate Release:  July 1, 2008

Contact:  Erica Neufeld (703) 280-5858

 

Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Available in DC Metropolitan Area

New Surgeon Offers Cutting Edge Options for Lung Cancer Patients

 

FALLS CHURCH, VA – Patients in the Washington, DC metropolitan area now have access to the most sophisticated lung cancer surgery techniques available in the country. Sandeep J. Khandhar, MD is the first surgeon in metropolitan area who is formally trained in minimally invasive thoracic surgery. There are fewer than 10 surgeons formally trained each year.

 

The thoracic cavity is made up of organs inside the ribcage and includes the heart, lungs, esophagus, stomach and mediastinum. Traditional thoracic surgery meant a large incision from the front to back of the patient and spreading of the ribs in order to access the diseased tissues. Minimally invasive surgery allows a surgeon to make two incisions which are about two to four centimeters long and then perform the operation without the need for rib spreading. A camera is inserted into one incision and projects the inside of the body onto a 26 inch flat screen high definition monitor. The surgeon watches the screen while inserting instruments through the second incision and performing the surgery. This surgery is sometimes called video assisted thoracic surgery, or VATS.

 

Surgery for lung cancer is becoming more common for several reasons. First, the incidence of lung cancer, particularly among life-long nonsmokers, is on the rise and second, advanced diagnostic tests are able to detect cancer earlier than ever before. Early detection and treatment mean that people can recover and live longer after a cancer diagnosis.

 

For appropriate patients, minimally invasive surgery is advantageous because there are fewer complications, the hospital stay is decreased and the patient recovers faster. In addition, the operation is smaller and there is less pain because the ribs were not spread. A faster time to a complete recovery leads to more successful initiation and completion of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

 

The addition of Dr. Khandhar to the surgical team at Cardiac Vascular and Thoracic Surgery Associates complements the group and maintains the standard that has allowed them to provide exceptional care to the community for more than 30 years: ensure the most innovative surgical options are available to all patients.

 

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Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery Associates (CVTSA) is a private practice founded 30 years ago and maintains today the same principles upon which the group was built: compassion, innovation and excellence. All 17 of our Board-Certified surgeons are experts in their areas and rank among the top physicians in Northern Virginia and in the country. Working closely together with referring physicians and award-winning hospitals, we are proud to offer the best medicine has to offer for adult cardiac, pediatric cardiac, vascular and thoracic care.