Thoracic Surgery

Lung biopsy, lung nodules, lung tumors, hernias of the diaphragm, and treatment of recurring collapsed lungs are all procedures that fall under the purview of a thoracic surgeon. When it comes to surgery of the chest, experience matters. And at Valley Surgical Specialists, we have one of the most renown and accomplished thoracic surgeons in the Central Valley.

Whether the procedure is minimally invasive/videoscopic or requires a major resection, Dr. Mark Cunningham has years of experience to draw upon. Working exclusively at Clovis Community Medical Center, Dr. Cunningham is an active participant in the new Community Cancer Institute as well as the Lung Nodule Program at Community Medical Centers.

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Treatment Options

Once a diagnosis is made, the proper treatment is elective removal of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is primarily a bile storage organ that can be safely removed without negatively affecting digestion. The following are treatment options:
  • Primary treatment is to remove the gallbladder through four small incisions called laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Nine out of ten gallbladder surgeries are performed this way. This is an outpatient surgery with minimal downtime.
  • Open surgery uses a large incision and is performed if the gallbladder is inflamed or distorted from previous episodes. Patients are typically in the hospital for 3-4 days and can expect a longer recovery period.
  • Robotic laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery is done using one incision closer to the site. This approach is generally approved for straightforward gallbladder cases and is reserved for those who are more cosmetically concerned. It is not without risk, as it is generally more difficult to remove a gallbladder this way and may need to be converted to an open or laparoscopic surgery. There is also a greater risk of developing a hernia at the incision site.

VSS Surgeons Specializing in Thoracic Surgery

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