We are continuing the work of the "Father of Thoracic Surgery," Dr. Hermes Grillo, and are working towards innovative therapies.
Based on extensive laboratory efforts, Dr. Grillo developed techniques for the surgical treatment of a variety of diseases of the trachea and bronchi. Before this, little could be done for many patients with blockage of their airways due to tumors or other causes. Further development and improvement in this area continues today.
The basic techniques have spread throughout the world and Massachusetts General Hospital is looked upon as perhaps the most outstanding center for airway surgery in the world. There is a nearly constant stream of physicians from Europe, Asia, and South America who come to the hospital for varying periods of time to observe and study these methods.
In the laboratory, extensive experimental work has been done to improve the lung transplantation program, which has achieved outstanding results. Also under study in the laboratory are aspects of lung cancer and of the new techniques of video thoracoscopy – the accomplishment of certain types of surgical procedures on the lung through small tubes placed in the chest through tiny incisions using modern video camera technology.
Other research activities center around the areas of pulmonary transplantation, molecular markers of lung cancer, tissue re-engineering, and clinical research in the therapy of advanced lung cancer, esophageal cancer, emphysema surgery, pulmonary transplantation, and airway substitutes.
Current Research Projects
Dr. Allan
Dr. Donahue
Dr. Gaissert
Dr. Lanuti
Dr. Mathisen
Dr. Wain
Dr. Wright
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