The MVHS Thoracic Surgery program provides comprehensive thoracic surgical care in the new, state-of-the-art Wynn Hospital in Utica, New York.
Our team uses cutting-edge technology to treat many thoracic conditions that require surgical care, including lung cancer and other cancers found in the chest, non-cancerous lung diseases, benign tumors, trauma-related injuries, hiatal hernias,
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and others.
If an abnormal growth in the lungs appears on a chest X-ray or CT scan, your doctor may recommend a lung biopsy to check for abnormal cells. In the case of any thoracic condition, when lifestyle changes, medicine, and other options do not ease symptoms of other conditions, your doctor may suggest surgery.
Our Thoracic team also works with the MVHS Cancer Center to provide treatments as part of the Thoracic Oncology Program. We provide some of the most advanced medical and surgical options for lung cancer, esophageal cancer and other cancers that occur in the chest cavity.
Robotic surgery means smaller incisions when it comes time for your surgery. That also means shorter hospitalization, faster recovery times and less scarring.
MVHS is a leader in robotic surgery. We are proud to offer the da Vinci® robot which is a leader in robotic innovations. Many surgeries can be performed with one of our da Vinci® robots, offering a minimally invasive approach to surgery.
Features of the Robot:
- An overhead instrument arm architecture designed to facilitate anatomical access from virtually any position.
- A new endoscope digital architecture that creates a simpler, more compact design with improved vision definition and clarity.
- An ability to attach the endoscope to any arm, providing flexibility for visualizing the surgical site.
- Smaller, thinner arms with newly designed joints that offer a greater range of motion than ever before.
- Longer instrument shafts designed to give surgeons greater operative reach.
Both of the da Vinci® Systems are an expandable technology platform that are designed to accommodate and seamlessly integrate a range of current technologies, as well as future innovations, in areas such as imaging, advanced instruments and anatomical access. We are truly thrilled to be a leader in this field and look forward to continue bringing the Mohawk Valley minimally invasive surgical options.
Conditions treated include:
- Achalasia
- Barrett’s Esophagitis
- Bronchiectasis
- Bronchogenic cysts
- Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
- Carcinoid tumor of the lung
- Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax) Caused by Injury
- Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax) not Related to Injury
- Chest Wall Tumors
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Dysphagia
- Enlarged Lymph Nodes
- Empyema
- Esophageal Cancer
- Esophageal Duplication Cysts
- Esophageal Stricture
- Esophageal Ulcer
- Esophagitis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Hiatal Hernia
- Hyperhidrosis
- Lung Cancer
- Lung Disorders
- Malignant Pleural Effusion
- Mediastinal Tumors
- Mesothelioma
- Metastatic Tumor of the Lung
- Paraesophageal hernia
- Pericardial Effusion
- Pleural Effusion
- Pleural Tumors
- Pleurisy
- Recurrent Respiratory Infections
- Rib fractures
- Swallowing Difficulty or Dysphagia
- Thymic Carcinoma
- Thymoma
- Tracheal Stenosis
- Tracheal Tumors
- Tracheoesophageal Fistula
- Zenker’s Diverticulum
Our Stories
Chris Alloway, patient at MVHS Thoracic Surgery
“I come from a smoking family. My father died from lung cancer and I smoked a pack a day for nearly 25 years before I finally quit in 2007, so I knew I was at a higher risk than most for developing lung cancer.
Because I had some of the risk factors – a history of smoking and a family history – I knew regular lung cancer screenings were important.
And in fact, the early screening paid off.
In December of 2023, the screening showed a spot on my left lung that was a marked change from the prior year. It was then I was referred to Dr. Crye.
Dr. Crye’s office repeated the scan, which confirmed the spot on my lung needed to be biopsied.
The biopsy confirmed it was cancer.
In June of 2024, I underwent surgery to remove the upper left portion of my left lung. Dr. Crye performed the surgery at Wynn Hospital using the da Vinci® robot.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from surgery, but my recovery was astronomical. The staff at the Wynn was incredible. Dr. Crye has an excellent team that supports him, and patients like me. The care I received was amazing from admission to release, and I was able to get mobility back and get moving sooner than I would have otherwise. I was driving two weeks after surgery and back to most of my regular activities shortly after that.
To hear the word cancer and then have the outcome that I had – I’m a survivor. My life was given back to me. I am walking and talking today because of Dr. Crye. He gave me my life back.”
