Departments

At Yale Medicine, our team of highly trained vascular surgeons are here to help with a variety of circulation issues. This includes anything from blocked blood vessels and stubborn wounds to conditions that could lead to losing a limb. Our goal is to give complete care that's as easy on you as possible, which is why we focus on techniques that don't require major surgery, like treatments done inside the blood vessels themselves. Our doctors give personalized and complete care to adults with vascular problems. We rely on the newest and most advanced equipment and methods to diagnose and treat these conditions. Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysm: Bulges in the main artery that can occur in the belly or chest area. Aortoiliac occlusive disease: Blocked arteries that supply blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. Carotid artery stenosis: Narrowed arteries in the neck that can reduce blood flow to the brain. Claudication: Treatments to help relieve cramping in the legs while walking or exercising Diabetic ulcers: Sores that are slow to heal in people with diabetes. Dialysis access: For patients who need dialysis (a treatment for kidney failure), we create an entry point into the bloodstream that the dialysis machine can use. Foot ulcers: Sores on the feet that can develop due to poor circulation or other health issue. Lower extremity artery conditions Lower extremity vein conditions Renal vascular disease: Conditions that affect blood flow to the kidneys. Thoracic aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection: Bulges and tears in the part of the main artery that runs through the chest. Thoracic outlet syndrome: Discomfort or circulation problems caused when blood vessels or nerves just below the neck are compressed. Varicose veins: Treatments to remove or reduce enlarged veins that appear most often on the legs. Visceral artery disease: Blood vessels that supply the internal organs, ensuring they're not narrowed or blocked.

We treat patients with injuries and diseases of the body’s musculoskeletal system. Our specialists treat a variety of bone, joint, tendon, nerve, and muscle conditions. These problems range from routine musculoskeletal complaints to more complex diseases requiring orthopaedic pathology and surgery. We work in conjunction with providers across many specialties—radiology, oncology, physical therapy, and pain management—to provide compassionate care to our patients. We treat musculoskeletal conditions in pediatric and adult patients. Our physicians specialize in many orthopaedic disciplines, including spine surgery, joint replacement, trauma and fracture care, hand and upper extremity surgery, microsurgery, sports medicine, oncology, and foot and ankle care. Our physicians employ many techniques for treating patients, including nonsurgical management utilizing physical therapy, occupational therapy, injections, and bracing. After providing a diagnosis, our providers discuss the best alternatives for treatment, whether this involves physical therapy, medication, surgery, or a combination of these options. When surgical intervention is indicated, cutting-edge surgical procedures and technological options are available. Some of the more common conditions our specialists treat include: Spinal problems, including degenerative conditions, disk herniations, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, fractures, and tumors Shoulder problems, including rotator cuff disease, arthroscopic surgery, arthritis, joint replacement, fractures, and instability Elbow problems, including arthritis, fractures and dislocations, joint replacement, and instability Hand and wrist problems, including arthritis, fractures, arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement, and artery and nerve repairs Pelvis and hip problems, including arthritis, arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement, and fractures Knee problems, including ligament and meniscal tears, arthritis, arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement, and fractures Foot and ankle problems, including tendon and ligament repairs, fractures, arthritis, and joint replacement Pediatric problems, including congenital deformities and fractures Tumor and limb salvage surgery

The Smilow Cancer Hospital Lung Cancer Screening Program is a multidisciplinary program that provides lung cancer screening to patients at risk for lung cancer. Our program has a coordinated approach that offers a complete and seamless screening process. Our team includes world-recognized pulmonologists (doctors who treat diseases of the respiratory system), specialized chest radiologists (doctors with advanced skills in reading CT scan images of the lung), thoracic surgeons and thoracic oncologists (doctors who treat lung cancer), tobacco/smoking cessation counselling specialists, and specialized nurse practitioners. Our goal is to provide lung cancer screening in the context of a care process that takes patients from risk assessment to screening to resulting and referral, if needed. Should an abnormal finding be identified, our team will guide and support our patients through next steps. Our program is comprehensive and coordinated, and provides the patient with access to a specialized, expert team of caregivers. Our processes are efficient and seamless. Additionally, our team has the knowledge, experience, and compassion to provide patients with the best lung cancer screening experience. Because of this, our team is available to guide patients throughout the screening process and beyond, if needed. Whether it’s an annual follow-up scan or further evaluation, we have the people and resources to care for each patient. Our team uses nationally established guidelines to care for our patients. Our tobacco treatment services are available in person or via telehealth visits. Read our list of frequently asked questions regarding lung cancer screening . National Cancer Institute: Lung Cancer Screening Lung Cancer Prevention National Lung Screening Trial National Lung Screening Trial - Questions and Answers Lung Cancer Screening (PDQ)- Patient Version Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS.gov): NCA - Screening for Lung Cancer with Low Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) American Cancer Society: American Cancer Society Guidelines on Lung Cancer Screening Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) A & B Recommendations

The Center for Thoracic Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital consists of a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to providing evaluation of and treatment for patients with a thoracic malignancy, including lung cancer, esophageal cancer, thymoma, or chest wall tumors. Patients in Connecticut and beyond have access to nationally recognized expert clinicians, who provide an organized, collaborative approach to cancer care, as well as the latest technologies and treatments. Our team consists of a collaboration of specialty physicians, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, thoracic surgery, pulmonary medicine, digestive diseases, pathology, diagnostic imaging, and nursing. In addition to our expert clinicians, patients also receive comprehensive care to help with the physical, emotional, and psychological issues that are part of confronting cancer. Patients also benefit from the attention of the team's care coordinators, who make management of even the most detailed multidisciplinary treatment plan less complicated. Our team is active in clinical research, and focuses on developing advances to care in areas of thoracic oncology where the standard treatment needs improvement and where the optimal treatment approach remains unclear. To provide the best care, most of our patients are enrolled in a clinical trial where they can receive innovative therapy for their advanced disease, including immunotherapy, which was first used in clinical trials at Smilow Cancer Hospital. The Center for Thoracic Cancers offers second opinions that are easy, convenient, and all done remotely. Call (203) 200-LUNG for more information and learn how to schedule a second opinion appointment with one of our providers. Medical Oncology Our medical oncologists are nationally recognized for their leadership and expertise in lung cancer treatment and research, and are dedicated to offering personalized treatment options. Biomarker testing is often performed on the tumor to look for specific mutations that can be targeted by medication. There are currently FDA-approved lung cancer treatments for tumors showing abnormalities in EGFR, KRAS, ALK, ROS1, BRAF V600E, MET, RET , and NTRK genes. Recent studies conducted at Yale have led to FDA approval of drugs for the treatment of lung cancer, such as the immunotherapy drug Tecentriq (atezolizumab), which has been proven to improve patient survival for newly diagnosed NSCLC. This drug is designed to block PD-L1, a protein that was discovered by scientists at Yale and that has been instrumental in improving survival for lung cancer patients. Another FDA-approved drug, osimertinib, which stemmed from Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital researchers, was approved for the treatment of adults with early-stage NSCLC with EGFR gene mutations. Surgery Many patients in need of surgery are referred for a minimally invasive surgery known as a video-assisted thoracoscopi

The Yale Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Program provides dedicated evaluation and treatment of patients with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS), a condition in which the subclavian vein, artery, or brachial plexus is compressed as it travels from the chest to the arm between the collarbone and the first rib. TOS may cause swelling, discoloration, numbness, or tingling of the patient's arm, limiting activities of daily living and quality of life. Patients with TOS may be young, athletic, or use excessive overhead shoulder movements for their profession or recreation. The Yale Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Program offers a multidisciplinary approach to patients with this debilitating condition. Our team includes vascular and thoracic surgeons, diagnostic and interventional radiologists, physical therapists, advanced practice providers, and nurses who work together to provide early diagnosis and comprehensive management at an individual level. TOS is divided into three types, based on the predominant structures affected. Neurogenic TOS is the most common type, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. Patients may experience neck, shoulder, or arm discomfort or headaches. Patients often report that symptoms began after experiencing a traumatic injury. Experts believe this occurs most commonly due to the shortening and thickening of the anterior scalene muscle, which connects the spine to the first rib. Venous TOS is the next most common type, with complete or high-grade blockage of the subclavian-axillary vein (located between the first rib and the collarbone). Patients often report previous repetitive overhead shoulder movements, such as pitching or swimming. Patients may present with swelling of the whole arm, discoloration, and pain. Arterial TOS is the least common type, although it is the most dangerous. Chronic compression of the subclavian artery may lead to a blockage or the creation of an aneurysm—a weakening and ballooning of the artery. Patients may present with a cold, painful arm and difficulty moving or feeling their fingers. We recognize that TOS is a complex condition and that treatment is highly specific to each patient. On a patient’s first visit, we perform a detailed history and physical exam. If TOS is suspected, a variety of specialized diagnostic tests may be performed to support the diagnosis. For patients presenting with neurogenic TOS, physical therapy may be the first-line therapy. This may treat the scalene muscles, muscles surrounding the spine, and the muscles that support the thoracic outlet and shoulder. Botox® therapy of the anterior scalene muscle is another treatment option for patients with persistent symptoms. While conservative treatment is often successful in alleviating symptoms of neurogenic TOS, surgical decompression may be recommended if patients do not find long-term relief. For patients presenting with venous or arterial TOS, our vascular surgeons will first perform revascularization to relieve symptoms

We evaluate injuries and musculoskeletal disorders of the hand and upper extremities. Our team consists of physicians who are board-certified in orthopaedics, hand surgery, and plastic surgery. Our surgeons are experts in their fields, offering patients the latest technological advances and treatments. We are also active in both clinical and basic science research. Our specialties and treatments include: Wrist and hand fractures (including mal-unions and non-unions and percutaneous fixation) Distal radius fractures Scaphoid fractures Wrist and hand instabilities Arthroscopy of the wrist, hand, and elbow Minimally invasive hand and wrist surgery Athletic injury to upper extremities Tendon, vascular, and nerve injuries Joint contractures Arthritis of the wrist, hand, and elbow Tendonitis Trigger finger Nerve compression syndromes Soft tissue reconstruction of the extremities (including skin grafts and flaps) Tumors of the hand