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Thoracic Surgery

Principal Investigator:
James S. Allan, M.D.

For a description of Dr. Allan’s basic research activities, please see the Cardiothoracic Transplantation Laboratory in the TBRC. Dr. Allan also has clinical research interests in lung transplantation, thoracic trauma, and high-frequency chest wall oscillation therapy.

Principal Investigator:
Dean M. Donahue, M.D.

Dr. Donahue’s clinical research interests include neuroendocrine tumors of the lung and acquired tracheal stenosis. Dr. Donahue also has conducted studies of gene expression in a large-animal hypoxic lung model, and has published experience in the cloning of the sheep endothelin-1 gene.

Principal Investigator:
Henning Gaissert, M.D.

Dr. Gaissert’s research includes investigations into minimally-invasive esophagectomy and other applications of minimally-invasive thoracic surgical techniques. Upcoming trials will focus on utilizing esophageal ultrasound for fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes in non-small cell lung cancer and the management of postoperative air leaks. Dr. Gaissert also manages the MGH Thoracic Surgical Database, and serves as a liaison to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database project.

Principal Investigator:
Douglas J. Mathisen, M.D.

Dr. Mathisen has had a longstanding interest in the development of a tracheal substitute, using large-animal models. Dr. Mathisen also coordinates other clinical research within the Division of Thoracic Surgery including current projects in the following areas:

• Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma
• Tracheal tumors
• Achalasia
• Post-pneumonectomy syndrome
• Tracheoplasty for tracheomalacia

The Division of Thoracic Surgery also participates in several ASCOG trials studying the role of PET imaging in lung cancer and the optimal therapy of lung and esophageal cancers

Principal Investigator:
John C. Wain, M.D.

Dr. Wain’s basic research interests encompass the fields of transplantation immunology and thoracic oncology. His research in lung transplantation immunology includes large animal modeling of lung transplantation tolerance and rejection with Dr. Allan (see TBRC section) as well as the development and study of a murine model of orthotopic tracheal transplantation. He is currently site principal investigator for an NIH program project grant investigating the genetic basis of lung and esophageal cancer. Dr. Wain has been involved in the development and evaluation of synthetic lung sealants and he is currently principal investigator for an ongoing clinical trial of a novel sealant. As Surgical Director of the MGH Lung Transplantation Program, he directs clinical research on methods of lung preservation, induction immunosuppression and transplant outcomes. He is also pursuing studies of acute lung injury and its treatment in both large and small animal models.

Principal Investigator:
Cameron D. Wright, M.D.

Dr. Wright is investigating a novel tissue sealant and performing clinical research on thymomas, reconstructive airway surgery and esophageal cancer.

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