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THORACIC SURGERY
Thoracic surgeons have long collaborated in the forward-thinking , innovative approach to patient care in their respective areas . Often working in tandem in the operating suites , emergency departments and critical care areas , the interdisciplinary care is of benefit to patients , whether the patients are a complex trauma case in an emergent situation , lung cancer , potential lung transplant , thoracic aortic patients , or patients with esophageal cancer .
Baylor University Medical Center Thoracic Surgery Program , led by Department Chief and Surgical Director for Lung Transplantation , Gary Schwartz , MD , has maintained a world-renowned reputation in minimally invasive thoracic surgery , esophageal disorders and lung transplantation .
A testament to patient survival , quality outcomes and patient volumes , U . S . News & World Report again recognized Baylor University Medical Center as High Performing in Pulmonology & Lung Surgery and Lung Cancer Surgery in its 2022-2023 “ America ’ s Best Hospitals ” list . In addition , the program was awarded 3-Stars , the highest rating , by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons ( STS ) for esophagectomy for the reporting period ending June 2021 .
ESOPHAGECTOMY COMPOSITE QUALITY RATING – STS REPORTING PERIOD ENDING JUNE 2021
STS MEDIAN
STS 75TH
BUMC
Overall 90.20 % 92.25 % 94.25 % Absence of mortality 96.63 % 97.15 % 97.31 %
Absence of major complications
66.1 % 72.08 % 78.68 %
BETTER THAN STS 75TH PERCENTILE
The program is committed to leading the way in the care of advanced lung diseases through its deeprooted involvement in research . Many of the minimally invasive techniques used today in thoracic surgery , such as minimally invasive VATS ( video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery ) for lung cancer and robotic surgery for the treatment of thoracic diseases , were pioneered by the specially trained and experienced surgeons on the medical staff at Baylor Dallas .
LUNG TRANSPLANTATION
Baylor University Medical Center was the first lung transplant site in Texas in 1990 . Since 1989 , more than 616 lung transplants have occurred through the end of fiscal year 2022 . Due to the hospital ’ s central location , lung donors may originate from either East or West coast locations resulting in a faster wait time than the national average for those on the transplant list .
Thoracic surgeons work closely with physicians at the Baylor Scott & White Charles A . Sammons Cancer Center – Dallas and the Baylor Scott & White Annette C . and Harold C . Simmons Transplant Institute to give patients access to research and clinical trials . In fiscal year 2022 , both cardiothoracic and thoracic surgeons continued to monitor the results related to transplanting hearts and lungs from donors with hepatitis C viremia . Several transplantations occurred on the Dallas campus which is one of the first sites in the United States accepting Hepatitis C donor heart and lung tissue . This continues to expand the donor pool allowing additional patients an opportunity to survive .
Another avenue used by thoracic surgeons on the medical staff of Baylor Dallas to increase donor availability are organ transportation devices . In fiscal year 2022 , the department began using ex-vivo lung perfusion to administer portable perfusion , ventilation and monitoring following the device ’ s FDA approval in September 2021 . This system is designed to preserve donor hearts and lungs , providing warmth , oxygen and nutrients within a preservation solution .
Leading with another landmark innovation , the Baylor Dallas campus was one of the first to use the novel cold static storage techniques for lung preservation . The preservation device uses cooling technology and a physical structure to protect the donor lungs for up to 40 hours . It is currently the first and only preservation method on the commercial market .
LUNG TRANSPLANT SURVIVAL :
At 1-year patient survival was BETTER than expected rates .*
Estimated percentage alive with a functioning transplant at 1 year :
NATIONALLY 78 % DALLAS CAMPUS
84.2 %
BETTER than national
* Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients , reported July 2022 .
Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital - Dallas | Thoracic Surgery