Thoracic Surgery

Virtua thoracic surgeons care for patients who have conditions that may require surgery or other interventions in the chest area. (“Thorax” refers to the chest.) These specialists emphasize approaches to procedures that are minimally invasive, and thus easier to undergo and recover from.

Meet our Thoracic Surgery Panel:

• Walter Boris, DO

• Christopher Derivaux, MD

• Matthew Puc, MD

(Virtua cardiothoracic surgeons treat heart-related conditions of the chest, with an emphasis on minimally invasive, sternum-sparing techniques. Learn more here.)

A multi-disciplinary approach to lung cancer treatment
The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer require a coordinated team of experts to collaborate on all aspects of patient care. Virtua’s thoracic surgeons lead a team that includes pulmonologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, chest radiologists, pathologists, interventional radiologists, anesthesiologists, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses all specializing in thoracic patient care.

Patient Safety and Quality Come First

Virtua thoracic surgeons voluntarily submit quality data to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) National Database, an initiative for quality improvement and patient satisfaction among cardiothoracic surgeons. 

Thoracic Conditions Treated at Virtua

The expertise of Virtua thoracic specialists covers both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) chest conditions. Some of the areas where they provide diagnosis and care include:

• Airway Disorders: tumors, narrowing, or collapse of the airway

• Chest Wall Disorders: sunken chest syndrome (pectus excavatum, or PEX), tumors, or protruding breast bone

• Diaphragm Paralysis: poor breathing muscle function

• Esophageal Cancer: esophagus tumors

• Esophageal Disorders: swallowing difficulties, narrowing of the esophagus, heartburn

• Giant Bullous Disease: large air pockets in the surface of the lung

• Hyperhydrosis: excessive sweating

• Lung Cancer: lung tumors

• Mediastinal Diseases: thymic tumors, myasthenia gravis 

• Mesothelioma: cancer within the lining around the lung related to asbestos exposure

• Pleural and Pericardial Effusions: fluid around the heart and lungs

• Spontaneous Pneumothorax: lung collapse