Chicken and Pineapple Kebabs
Emory Heart & Vascular
Request a Referral
* View our call center hours
Please visit our privacy policy for more information.
Emory Thoracic Surgeons Are First in the Southeast to Use New 3D Modeling Tool
Surgeons at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital are the first thoracic surgeons in the Southeast — and only the third in the country — to employ a new 3D software tool to aid in robotic-assisted lung surgery for cancer and other diseases of the lung.
Non-small-cell lung cancer, in particular, can often be challenging to pinpoint since the tumors can exist deep within the lung. The new software uses a patient’s CT scan to create a unique 3D model of the lung, revealing the precise location, proportions, and size of the tumor that needs to be removed. The surgeons use the model as a blueprint to guide them during the operation.
Recently, Manu Sancheti, MD, and his team at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital removed a non-small-cell lung cancer tumor from a patient; the detailed 3D model allowed them to remove only a segment of the lung and not the entire lobe. Another patient underwent an operation to remove a congenital sequestration in the lung. Both surgeries were a success.
Surgeons at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital Perform Complex Lung Surgeries Using Precision Imaging Technology
Patient 1: A 78-year-old female had been diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer in the right upper lobe of the lung. Using 3D modeling, Manu Sancheti, MD, and his team at Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital were able to visualize the precise location of the tumor. They performed a segmentectomy, removing just the segment containing the tumor while sparing the rest of the lobe. The surgery took approximately an hour and a half, and the patient went home the next day. Her recovery was easier than it would have been had the entire lobe of the lung been removed. The patient has followed up with her oncologist to discuss whether further cancer treatment is necessary.
3D model of an aberrant artery from the aorta going into the lung and supplying the sequestration in the lower lobe.
3D model of a tumor (yellow) in the posterior segment of the upper lobe, associated blood vessels, and airways going to that segment of the lung.
Patient 2: A 36-year-old male was found to have a sequestration, a congenital malformation of the lung in which an area of lung tissue is non-functional. It is usually supplied by an abnormal artery arising directly from the aorta. Typically, a sequestration is removed to reduce the risk of acquiring a severe infection and of developing lung cancer. Dr. Sancheti and his team removed the entire lower lobe because the sequestration was located deep within the lobe. The operation involved isolating and dissecting the specific pulmonary veins, arteries, and bronchi in the lobe and dividing them. Additionally, the team carefully divided the aberrant artery arising from the aorta. The 3D modeling tool identified the location and direction of the artery, preventing potential injury and significant bleeding. The patient recovered well after the hour-and-a-half-long surgery and has resumed his normal activities.
Leading Thoracic Surgery Care in Georgia
Emory thoracic surgery stands as the foremost academic thoracic surgery program in Georgia, performing more than 1,600 procedures annually. We are dedicated to treating the sickest patients and addressing the most complex surgical challenges. As an integral part of the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, the only National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Georgia, thoracic surgical care at Emory offers advanced multidisciplinary care and access to pioneering clinical trials.
What makes Emory thoracic surgery unique:
- Cutting-Edge Techniques: We pioneer minimally invasive methods, such as robotic and video-assisted thoracic surgery, to ensure quicker recovery and better outcomes. Our surgeons are international experts in robotic surgery having performed close to 2,000 robotic thoracic surgeries, many of which are first in Georgia.
- Comprehensive Services: From lung and esophageal surgeries to complex chest wall reconstructions, our specialists handle a wide range of conditions with precision and expertise.
- Research and Leadership: Our surgeons are leaders in national organizations and are involved in groundbreaking clinical research that shapes the future of thoracic surgery.
Refer a patient to an Emory thoracic surgeon
Please call our physician referral line at 404-778-5050
Request a Referral
* View our call center hours
Please visit our privacy policy for more information.
Request a Referral
* View our call center hours
Please visit our privacy policy for more information.