Our Approach to Thoracic Anesthesiology
Montefiore Einstein Thoracic Anesthesiology specializes in the perioperative and periprocedural care of patients with complex respiratory and pulmonary conditions undergoing a wide range of thoracic surgeries, including esophageal surgeries and lung resections. Our team also provides expert anesthesia services for interventional pulmonology, including advanced diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy and pleural procedures. Our thoracic anesthesiologists collaborate closely with thoracic surgeons, surgical oncologists, and interventional pulmonologists, utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to deliver comprehensive, personalized care. In addition, we partner with the High Risk Lung Nodule Clinic to screen patients for lung cancer. We work as a team with the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is among the elite 1% of NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the U.S. Montefiore Einstein is ranked in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for pulmonology and lung surgery, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Clinical Excellence
Montefiore Einstein Thoracic Anesthesiology is committed to advancing patient safety, enhancing comfort, and delivering the highest quality perioperative care to all patients with pulmonary conditions. Our thoracic anesthesiologists manage more than 700 thoracic surgical cases in the operating room annually, including lung resections (wedge, segmentectomy, lobectomy and extended resections including sleeve lobectomy and pneumonectomy), esophagectomy and operations for benign pleural disease (decortication and pleurodesis). More than 95% of lung cancer resections are performed minimally-invasively, including many performed after neoadjuvant therapy. We also complete over 2,000 lung cancer screening scans annually, a number that continues to grow as we expand our screening program.
Advanced Treatments
We offer access to the most advanced anesthesiology techniques and technologies to help improve patient safety and provide the highest quality of care for our patients.
We provide the latest evidence-based, personalized care for patients with pulmonary conditions undergoing the full range of thoracic surgeries and interventional pulmonology procedures some of which include the following.
- Esophageal surgery
- Esophagectomy
- Thoracic Surgery
- Lung resections (wedge, segmentectomy, lobectomy and extended resections including sleeve lobectomy and pneumonectomy)
- Surgery for benign pleural disease (decortication and pleurodesis)
- Interventional pulmonology
- Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including bronchoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy
- Pleural procedures including ultrasound-guided biopsy, endobronchial valve replacement and bronchoplasty
Research
We are at the forefront of advancing thoracic surgery through numerous clinical trials, including those funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These studies provide patients with access to leading-edge technologies and innovative treatments that may not yet be widely available. One of our key ongoing clinical trials is an investigator-initiated randomized study led by Brendon Stiles, MD, Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology, evaluating the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy with and without low-dose stereotactic radiation. This is just one of many groundbreaking studies we are conducting to improve patient outcomes and shape the future of thoracic care.
Our Digital Health Laboratory conducts extensive research on respiratory failure, emphasizing evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes. As a result, our physician-scientists developed an advanced machine learning tool to predict which patients are at the highest risk of postoperative respiratory failure, integrating clinical expertise with leading-edge technology.
Thoracic Anesthesiology Education & Training
Our residency program offers exceptional clinical and research opportunities, comprehensive didactics, and exposure to a broad spectrum of pulmonary conditions. Through the Thoracic Anesthesiology rotation, residents refine their expertise in anesthesia management for complex thoracic surgeries and procedures. This includes mastering one-lung ventilation techniques with double-lumen endotracheal tubes and bronchial blockers, as well as developing proficiency in bronchoscopy. In addition, we care for patients undergoing rigid bronchoscopy utilizing jet ventilation for removal of airway lesions or complex stent placement. Our goal is to equip trainees with the knowledge and skills necessary for modern clinical practice.
Your Thoracic Anesthesiology Team
Jay S. Berger, MD, PhD
Our thoracic anesthesiologists collaborate closely with thoracic surgeons, surgical oncologists, and interventional pulmonologists to provide the highest level of care for our patients with complex thoracic conditions that require a multidisciplinary approach.
Led by Jay Berger, MD, PhD, MHPE, Division Chief of Thoracic Anesthesiology, our Thoracic Anesthesiology team communicates frequently with Ali Sadoughi, MD, Director of Interventional Pulmonology and Bronchoscopy, and Brendon Stiles, MD, Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology. Together, they develop personalized treatment plans and ensure optimal patient care throughout the perioperative period.
