Thoracic Surgery Fellowship Program

The advanced general thoracic surgery fellowship program at UPMC provides experiential instruction in minimally invasive surgical techniques of the esophagus, lung, and mediastinum.

With full accreditation by the Fellowship Council, we have expanded the program to provide advanced training for CT surgeons entering the rapidly growing discipline of general thoracic surgery. This 12-month fellowship includes non-cardiothoracic surgery and associated outpatient work-up as well as planning of operative approaches and subsequent follow-up.

Four fellows per year can participate in the program.

Training in Endoscopic Techniques and Cases

Fellows receive exposure to a broad variety of endoscopic techniques, including:

• Rigid bronchoscopy
• Flexible bronchoscopy
• Fluorescence bronchoscopy
• Associated advanced laser techniques

Fellows also receive instruction and training in managing complex endoscopic cases for a wide variety of malignant and benign esophageal disorders.

This includes:

• Minimally invasive esophagectomy
• Laparoscopic gastric bypass
• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
• Rigid and flexible esophagoscopy
• Placement of expandable metal stents
• Applications of photodynamic and YAG lasers

Fellows typically act as the operating surgeon on most procedures and the faculty member acts as the teaching surgeon or first assistant. On occasion, the complexity of an operative case surpasses the experience and current capabilities of the fellow. In these circumstances, the fellow acts as first assistant to the attending surgeon.

Fellows receive a competitive salary, as well as the opportunity for moonlighting with additional compensation.

Thoracic Surgery Fellowship Procedural Requirements

Thoracic surgery fellows must maintain an up-to-date log of their operative cases and are expected to show competency in advanced laparoscopic and thoracoscopic techniques and will have completed, with minimal support from the attending surgeon, the following procedures: