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During a woman’s lifetime, she might face a reproductive problem that requires evaluation and possible surgery. Some gynecologic conditions that may require surgery are endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, abnormal bleeding, intrauterine scarring, damaged fallopian tubes, pelvic pain or abnormal development of the reproductive tract. Minimally invasive and robotic surgery have transformed the field of surgery, radically reducing trauma and recovery. In this approach, small skin incisions (less than an inch in size) and specialized tools are used. Our program utilizes the following methods for women’s reproductive conditions requiring surgery: Hysteroscopy. A small, narrow telescope (a hysteroscope) allows for visualization of the inside of the uterine cavity without incisions. This is often performed when evaluating abnormal uterine bleeding. Laparoscopy. A small telescope inserted through small abdominal skin incisions is used to evaluate the pelvic anatomy (uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, etc.). The laparoscope (camera) sends live pictures to a video monitor, which allows the surgeon to see the anatomy and perform complex surgeries with minimal trauma to the patient. Robotics. Robotic surgery was approved for gynecological conditions in 2005 and has since opened up the option of minimally invasive surgery for women who otherwise would not have been eligible for vaginal surgery or traditional laparoscopic surgery. Surgeons are trained in using the daVinci Robot for select laparoscopic surgeries. “Open“ surgery, or surgery performed through traditional large incisions (similar to a cesarean section), is associated with longer hospitalizations, increased pain, increased surgical risk, and longer postoperative recovery times. With a surgery performed using a minimally invasive approach, patients are often able to go home on the day of surgery or the next morning with less postoperative pain.

Yale’s Department of Surgery is a premier center for adult and pediatric surgical treatment, providing comprehensive care for a full range of conditions and diseases. To ensure that our patients experience shorter hospital stays and less postoperative discomfort, we employ the latest technologies and surgical techniques, and perform minimally invasive surgery whenever possible. Our renowned surgeons and faculty continue to push the frontiers of surgical science through innovative treatment and leading-edge research, with the ability to offer treatment options that can be difficult to find elsewhere. More state-of-the-art surgical suites at Yale New Haven Hospital than in any other hospital in the region Collaboration with the Yale Department of Biomedical Engineering and with industry to develop 3-D bioprinting for the regeneration, repair, and replacement of human tissue and vessels Nationally recognized Center of Excellence and designated training center for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) Yale’s Endocrine Neoplasia Laboratory is an internationally renowned multidisciplinary research group in which surgeons work with endocrine geneticists to decipher the molecular genetics of endocrine tumor disease First program in Connecticut to offer three different minimally invasive bariatric surgical techniques: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, LAP-Band® surgery, and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

At Yale Medicine, our thoracic surgery team specializes in treating a wide range of chest-related conditions, from lung and esophageal cancers to other thoracic issues that may not involve cancer. Our highly skilled surgeons understand the importance of a gentle, compassionate approach to patient care, ensuring a supportive experience for those who may be facing challenging diagnoses. Trained in the most advanced surgical techniques, our team uses minimally invasive surgery whenever possible instead of traditional surgery, which typically requires larger incisions. This approach is designed to minimize your discomfort and help you to heal faster. Through the use of less invasive techniques, you can look forward to a quicker recovery, with less time spent in the hospital and better results after surgery. Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Benign esophageal disorders (paraesophageal hernia, reflux disease, narrowing, achalasia) Chest wall tumors Esophageal cancer Lung cancer Mediastinal cancers, located in the area between the lungs

Millions of people suffer from the broad range of diseases that can affect the spine. Debilitating pain and impaired function often keep people from working and enjoying normal lives. While spinal conditions and injuries, particularly neck and back pain, are quite common, they can be among the most complex and difficult ailments to treat. This is especially true with patients who have had little improvement with prior spinal surgery or failed medical treatments for such diseases as scoliosis or degenerative disk disease. Our experienced team of highly-skilled neurosurgeons and staff work together to provide the best care possible. Whether the pain is acute or chronic, we are committed to understanding the problem and will work with each patient to determine the best way to treat it. Patients travel from across the Northeast to have our experts treat problems, including spinal cord and nerve compression, spinal deformities, spinal tumors, neck and back pain, and sciatica. Our focus is on helping patients overcome their disability, rather than performing surgery or providing physical therapy. We provide comprehensive diagnostic services for patients whose conditions have not been definitively identified, as well as for those who had unsuccessful treatments, including previous surgeries. Because we are a major referral center for neurosurgical problems of all types and levels of complexity, our patients benefit from our collaborative, interdisciplinary environment that enhances opportunities for advancing care. Our services include: Minimally invasive surgery:Advanced, one-day surgical procedures, including vertebroplasty and disk electrocauterization, are available for appropriate candidates. Vertebroplasty relieves pain among some osteoporosis sufferers with collapsed vertebrae. Surgical bone cement is injected into the affected areas bolstering bone growth. Disk electrocauterization involves the use of a needle to shrink disks by burning them. Complex surgery:Our Spine Center specializes in this type of surgery, which is reserved for cases in which all other treatment options have been considered. Our surgeons can perform spinal reconstructions for severely deteriorated spines or repair damage from trauma or prior surgeries. Cutting-edge techniques, such as discography, make it possible to track electrical activity within the spine with exceptional precision to localize the site of injuries. Support services:Yale New Haven Hospital is a Level I trauma center, fully equipped to handle complex spinal cord injuries. Spine patients who undergo surgery benefit from specially equipped surgical suites. They will recover in the hospital’s Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the only specialized unit of its kind in the region, staffed with experienced neurocritical care nurses. Our team continuously challenges current practice to ensure our programs reflect the most advanced treatment options delivered in a way that enhances the health and comfort o

We specialize in the comprehensive care of traumatically injured patients with life-threatening conditions, critically ill surgical patients, and patients with acute surgical emergencies. They are trained in both traditional open and minimally invasive surgeries, and perform a variety of elective and urgent procedures. Our surgeons also provide vital surgical critical care in support of Yale New Haven Hospital’s Level I adult and pediatric trauma centers. They are committed to research, education for health care providers, as well as injury prevention, state trauma system development, and disaster management. We understand that having a traumatic injury, surgical emergency, or being in a situation requiring critical care can be stressful for patients and their families. Our team members will do their best to help keep everyone as comfortable as possible during care. Our surgeons, nurses, and specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond immediately to all major trauma codes, and provide our patients with comprehensive, continuous care and support from admission to discharge. Along with our clinicians, a host of support services, including religious ministries, social workers, and care coordination services are available to help our patients. We focus on: General surgeryfor patients undergoing elective or routine surgery, as well as those with emergency surgical conditions. We evaluate patients prior to surgery in outpatient locations, the emergency department, or the hospital, depending on the urgency of their condition. We always have a senior surgeon available to rapidly attend to critical problems. Trauma carefor all trauma patients admitted to Yale New Haven Hospital, the regional Level 1 trauma center for southern Connecticut and the only trauma center in the state to be verified by the American College of Surgeons for both adult and pediatric patients. Surgical critical careto manage all critically ill surgical patients in the Surgical Intensive Care Units at Yale New Haven Hospital’s York Street and Saint Raphael campuses, and the Intermediate Care Unit at the York Street campus. Conditions we commonly treat include: Acute and chronic appendicitis Acute and chronic biliary disease Abdominal wall hernias of all types Intestinal disease Intestinal fistulas Diverticulitis Pancreatitis Soft tissue infections Sepsis Complex postoperative complications requiring critical management

Cancer can have a profound impact on someone’s life. From the very beginning, most patients have many questions about the road ahead. Working in collaboration with medical and radiation oncologists at Yale Cancer Center, our world-renowned oncology surgeons are committed to providing compassionate and personalized care, offering comfort and support. We understand that the thought of undergoing surgery can be overwhelming. An integral part of our approach is to provide support, in part, through detailed answers and by thoroughly explaining treatment options and what to expect before, during, and after the surgery. Our innovative methods enable our surgeons to address even the most complex cancerous and noncancerous conditions. Our surgeons provide the most comprehensive and advanced care available, collaborating with other internationally recognized cancer care specialists at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, including diagnostic and interventional radiologists, gastroenterologists, hepatologists, imaging specialists, and pathologists. Whether patients are newly diagnosed with cancer or their cancer has not responded to traditional treatment therapies, our team of surgeons and specialists will create a personalized plan based on the latest research, technologies, evidence-based medicine, and the possibility of clinical trials. During the first visit, patients will meet with a surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist who will create a personalized treatment. Our goal is to begin treatment as soon as possible. Because our surgeons treat patients at theSmilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, patients will have access to a multitude of medical and supportive services to help improve their quality of life while living with cancer, and after. We treat the following cancers and cysts: Breast cancer Gastrointestinal cancers, including gastric bile duct, gallbladder, liver, colon, stomach, pancreas, and colorectal cancers Intra-abdominal cancers and tumors Melanoma Pancreatic cysts (noncancerous) Sarcoma Minimally invasive surgery. Our emphasis is on the most successful surgery with the least pain, scarring, and recovery time. Our highly-skilled surgeons are leaders in minimally invasive procedures, even for complex cases that would otherwise require traditional open surgery. During minimally invasive surgery, also known as laparoscopic surgery, only a few small incisions are necessary. Surgeons use small video cameras to view the affected area and use special surgical instruments to perform the surgery. Recovery time and postsurgical discomfort are significantly reduced because the incisions are smaller than with open surgery. Surgical wounds tend to heal more quickly and with less scarring. Whipple Procedure. The pancreas, which is the largest gland of the endocrine system, is difficult to treat surgically because of its position behind major organs. The Whipple procedure is an innovative approach that allows surgeons

At Yale Medicine, our Bariatric and minimally invasive surgery team specializes in surgical care for conditions affecting the digestive tract. Expert surgeons use the latest minimally invasive techniques designed to reduce scarring and minimize discomfort after surgery, providing a smoother and more rapid recovery. We recognize that it’s natural to experience various emotions and concerns before undergoing surgery. That's why our approach focuses on patient education and comprehensive care—we are here to provide clear, detailed answers to all your questions before, during, and after your procedure. About Us Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Abdominal wall reconstruction to treat complex hernias or trauma to the abdomen Laparoscopic surgery to treat severe (Class III) obesity Weight-loss surgery options: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, in which a small stomach pouch is created to restrict food intake. LAP-Band® surgery, in which a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch to hold food. The band limits the amount of food that’s consumed by making the patient feel full after eating small amounts. Sleeve gastrectomy, which involves removing about 85% of the stomach. The smaller-sized stomach holds less food, creating a feeling of fullness with significantly less food. All weight-loss surgery options include education and support from nursing, nutrition, and psychological service providers.

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

About Us At Yale Medicine, our cardiac surgery team consists of internationally recognized heart surgeons who provide personalized, compassionate care for adult and pediatric patients. We understand the challenges of living with a heart condition and are committed to partnering with patients and their families to find the best treatment plan and offer ongoing support after surgery. Our team includes highly experienced, board-certified cardiac surgeons along with an expert group of cardiologists, cardiac-focused nurses, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. Our cardiac surgeons collaborate with Yale's cardiologists, vascular surgeons, and internists to manage heart-related issues such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, heart valve conditions, and heart rhythm disorders. Our surgeons perform the latest, most advanced techniques in minimally invasive and traditional surgeries to treat a full range of cardiac diseases and conditions, including: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) Valve repair and replacement (aortic and mitral) Aneurysm repair (aortic, thoracic aortic, left ventricular) Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), including hybrid ablation heart failure and artificial heart or ventricular assist devices Heart failure, including artificial heart or ventricular assist devices Heart transplantation Congenital heart diseases in children and adults

Pediatric surgeons dedicate their practice to treating children ranging from the neonatal stage through late adolescence. The medical needs of a child differ from those of an adult, requiring pediatric surgeons to have additional education and advanced training. Our pediatric surgeons are recognized as experts in a broad range of specialties, including minimally invasive surgery, pediatric surgical oncology, fetal diagnosis, and treatment of congenital birth defects, pediatric trauma, and surgical procedures for intestinal failure. Through the most current and state-of-the-art surgical techniques, we help treat each child’s condition so he or she can focus on being a kid.Our team has expertise in the latest surgical technologies and the most delicate surgical situations, including neonatal surgery and ECMO (heart and lung bypass for severely ill infants). Our surgeons use advanced, minimally invasive surgical techniques wherever possible to help secure outpatient surgeries or shorter hospital stays, and less postoperative discomfort for the child. All of our team members have extensive experience in working with children, and take extra measures to ensure that each child feels safe and comfortable. Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Mechanical cardiac assist device program Newborn surgery, including repair of severe newborn congenital malformations of the airway, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genital tracts Operations for inguinal hernias, hydroceles, correction of undescended testicles, and other groin problems Pediatric abdominal surgery Pediatric heart transplant Pediatric thoracic surgery Surgical management of complex solid tumors Thoracoscopic and laparoscopic treatment of such conditions as abdominal and thoracic tumors, congenital lung masses, intestinal atresia, and trachea-esophageal fistula The first pediatric Level I trauma center in Connecticut at Yale New Haven Hospital Six conveniently located outpatient pediatric centers across the state where patients can be evaluated by a pediatric surgeon International recognition for new ways to reduce anxiety and pain in children who need surgery

The Interventional Oncology Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital offers cutting-edge specialized services that complement and support medical, surgical, and radiation oncology to provide optimal patient care. A team of dedicated professionals offers minimally invasive, imaging-guided therapies for patients with liver, colorectal, lung, bone/soft tissue, kidney, and metastatic cancers. These therapies can be used either as primary or adjuvant treatments. In addition, our program provides a range of therapeutic options used for palliative care, including biopsy, vascular port and chemotherapy catheter placement, abscess drainage, stenting of malignant strictures, and therapies for pain relief. Minimally invasive Interventional Oncology treatments include: Chemoembolization : Selective delivery of chemotherapy directly to the tumor through a catheter located in the artery feeding the tumor Radioembolization : Selective delivery of radioactive particles directly to the tumor through a catheter located in the artery feeding the tumor Radiofrequency Ablation : A procedure that uses radio waves to heat and destroy cancerous cells via a needle inserted in the patient’s skin Cryoablation : A procedure in which an extremely cold temperature (via a cryoprobe inserted through the patient’s skin) is used to freeze and destroy cancer tissue. Microwave Ablation : A procedure that uses microwaves to heat and destroy cancerous cells. NanoKnife : Irreversible Electoroporation Cancer Ablation, or NanoKnife therapy, is available as a treatment option for liver cancer at Smilow Cancer Hospital. NanoKnife is a state-of-the-art minimally invasive cancer treatment that applies a high voltage of electrical pulses to induce targeted cancer death, while minimizing surrounding tissue damage in highly selective and challenging anatomic locations, such as the liver. Pain Palliation Treatment : Therapeutic options consisting of ablation, chemoembolization, or radioembolization designed specifically to relieve pain caused by primary or metastatic tumors.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S., but it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The reason is that most lung cancers are diagnosed in late stages of the disease. Hence, early detection is a key for longer survival when lung cancer is only limited to one area of the lung. A diagnosis of lung cancer often begins when a chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan shows a nodule—an area of abnormal tissue—in the lungs. Lung cancer screening is one way to catch cancer early, when it is still a lung nodule. The other way, which is more common, of finding a lung nodule is incidental, while patients are getting lung imaging for other medical problems. Lung nodules that are suspicious or show signs of growth over time often need to be biopsied. Biopsy of lung nodule with bronchoscopy is preferred as risk of complications is very low and lymph node staging can be performed concurrently. However, traditional bronchoscopy has lower success for lung nodule biopsy. At the Yale Robotic Bronchoscopy Program, Yale interventional pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons will perform a next-generation bronchoscopy—robotic-assisted bronchoscopy with novel shape-sensing technology—that will allow them to visualize and biopsy remote parts of the lung that were previously inaccessible, significantly improving the success of lung nodule biopsy. The Yale Robotic Bronchoscopy Program takes a multidisciplinary approach to patient care; it is a joint program between Yale Interventional Pulmonology and Yale Thoracic Surgery, part of the Thoracic Oncology Program, which takes care of more than 40% of lung cancer patients in Connecticut while attracting patients from New England and beyond. The goal of the program is to diagnose potentially cancerous lung nodules in the periphery and hard-to-read parts of the lungs. The robotic bronchoscopy technology will help to biopsy and diagnose those nodules with significantly improved accuracy and safety. Yale New Haven Hospital offers this new technology, which has greater dexterity, reach, vision, and shape-sensing technology that offers greater stability when compared with traditional bronchoscopy. A regular bronchoscope has a camera on one end. The other end is held by a doctor who manually performs the procedure. With a robotic bronchoscopy, the endoscope is attached to a robotic arm, which the doctor operates from an independent console. The Yale doctors will be using robotic bronchoscopy concurrently with 3D fluoroscopy for real time imaging to further improve the accuracy of the procedure. Furthermore, doctors will also perform a procedure called EBUS—endobronchial ultrasound, which allows biopsy of the lymph nodes around the lungs and airways. This helps not just with the diagnosis but with the staging of lung cancer. Performing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy and EBUS under single anesthesia will help reduce the unnecessary waiting times and anxiety that patients may traditionally experience.