Thoracic surgery

Thoracic surgery is a specialised medical field dealing with surgical procedures related to the organs and structures within the thoracic cavity. These involve diseases related to the lungs, the rib cage and the mediastinum.

Thoracic surgeons are highly trained professionals who diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting these vital organs, including lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma, pulmonary metastases, thymoma, emphysema and thoracic trauma.

Surgical approaches such as open surgery, robotic-assisted surgeries and minimally invasive procedures are implemented to address these complex conditions.

Thoracic surgeries available

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Why us for thoracic surgery?

Our specialists

Thoracic procedures in Switzerland

We treat all thoracic conditions and perform the full range of thoracic procedures except lung transplants.

We treat all benign and malignant thoracic and pulmonary conditions. We work together with pulmonologists, radiologists and interventional radiologists, anaesthesiologists and specialists in intensive care medicine, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists,pathologists and specialists in pain management and palliative care. We also have a team of experienced nurses, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists and nutritionists supporting us every day.

We have state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities including chest CT, MRI and PET scanning. We have a dedicated endoscopy suite where we perform flexible bronchoscopies and biopsies. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and endobronchial navigation, ultrasound or CT-guided biopsies of lung nodules or thoracic tumours are performed by our multi-disciplinary network.

Treatments available

Lung cancer surgery for various cancers such as mesothelioma and complex resections.
The surgical removal of part or all of a lung to treat lung cancer, tumours, severe lung infections or emphysema.
Thymus/ mediastinal tumours: Thymus and mediastinal tumours require a surgical intervention, involving the extraction of the thymus gland to manage thymoma and myasthenia gravis. This procedure targets medical issues located within the central chest region, called the mediastinum.
Minimally Invasive Procedures: Techniques like video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and robotic-assisted surgery using small incisions (keyholes surgery) and specialised tools offer less invasive treatments and faster recovery times.

Our specialists fields

All 3 surgeons are experts in lung cancer surgery and can offer the full spectrum of procedures including conventional surgery, extended resections for advanced-stage cancers and minimally invasive procedures including VATS and robotic procedures for smaller tumours. We also offer the full spectrum of procedures for benign lung, pleura and chest wall disorders.

Treatment of emphysema by our specialist Dr Weder

Emphysema is a disease generally caused by smoking or genetic conditions where the normal lung tissue is destroyed resulting in reduced gas exchange (poor oxygenation of blood in the alveoli) and distension of the lungs. This can sometimes be treated by a reduction of the lung volume, either surgically or using endobronchial valves. Surgery can be conventionnal or mini-invasive depending upon the extent of the emphysema and its location and extent.

Dr Weder is an expert in the field who pioneered VATS lung volume reduction 25 years ago.

Treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma by our specialist Dr Lang-Lazdunski

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma is a malignant tumour involving the pleura (lining of the lung), induced by asbestos exposure in most cases. There are more than 2’700 new cases diagnosed each year in the United Kingdom, around 1’000 in France and 200 in Switzerland. Thousands of cases are also diagnosed each year in the USA and Canada.

Dr Lang-Lazdunski is one of the most renowned mesothelioma surgeons worldwide and has the lowest mortality rate for this type of cancer and some of the best published outcomes.

Treatment of thymoma by our specialist Dr Roth

After a complete thoracic formation at the university hospital of Berne with fellowships in Marie Lannelongue (Prof. Dartevelle) and Hotel-Dieu (Prof. Regnard) hospital in Paris, he has a busy private practice in visceral and thoracic surgery in Switzerland and has operated on more than 5’000 of patients with abdominal, endocrine or thoracic problems with excellent outcomes. His main base is Clinique de Genolier.

Our team of thoracic specialists

Privatklinik Bethanien

Prof. Dr. med. Walter Weder

Specialisation
Thoracic surgery, General surgery, Da Vinci

Clinique de Genolier

Dr. med. Thierry Roth

Specialisation
General surgery, Thoracic surgery, Visceral surgery, Thyroid surgery (endocrine surgery) View more

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Clinique de Genolier

Prof. Dr. med. Loïc Lang-Lazdunski

Specialisation
Thoracic surgery, General surgery

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If you would like a complete medical programme, a second opinion or a remote consultation via videoconference or by telephone, please do not hesitate to contact us:

+41 22 366 94 28

gps@swissmedical.net

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What we offer for international patients

Second opinion: Our consultants’ team are very experienced with the management of complex cases. We receive referrals from all over the world for second opinions or complex treatment. We often see patients who have been turned down for surgery or systemic therapy elsewhere due to poor lung function, co-morbidities or advanced-stage tumours.
Videoconsultation: We can also arrange for a teleconsultation. This has become very popular for patients living overseas.
Comfort during illness: We offer a world-class specialised and efficient service in highly renowned clinics in and around Switzerland. We offer daily outpatient appointments and we can offer remote video consultations for patients living outside Switzerland or who cannot visit us in Genolier, Geneva and Zurich.

Why us for thoracic surgery?

Latest medical technologies

Our specialists provide surgeries using the latest medical techniques with leading-edge equipment at the forefront of technological innovation.

World-leading thoracic surgeons

You will benefit from the expertise of internationally recognised, top-tier thoracic surgeons including the renowned specialists Professor Weder, Professor Lang-Lazdunski and Dr Roth, experts in lung emphysema surgery, mesothelioma and thymoma respectively.

With advanced technologies and personalised treatment plans, our first-class experts perform precise, minimally invasive interventions for complex thoracic conditions, ensuring the highest care quality and improved health outcomes for our patients.

Year-long expertise and premium service

Our experts have been at the forefront of research and treatment for more than two decades. Our outcomes are among the best reported worldwide and we have the lowest reported mortality in radical mesothelioma surgery. We offer a compassionate and friendly approach to all patients. We believe that every patient is unique and we do not support the one-size-fits-all approach.

Furthermore, we help you with visa applications, hotel reservations, if necessary, and transportation services. We have our own limousine service and can arrange airport transfers or any other transfers you may need during your stay. We will also be happy to adapt the meal options according to your needs.

Unique in Europe

The combination of three top thoracic surgeons, the state-of-the-art facility and combined over 20 years of experience in different specialities such as mesothelioma, emphysema surgery and thymoma make us unique in Europe.

Our hospitals for thoracic treatments

Clinique de Genolier
Genolier (VD)

Oncology
Orthopaedics
Neurosurgery
Visceral Surgery
Cardiology

Privatklinik Bethanien
Zurich (ZH)

Urology
Visceral surgery
Thoracic surgery
Orthopaedics
Gynaecology, Obstetrics

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