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Thoracic Surgery

As national leaders in robotic surgery, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute provides minimally invasive and state-of-the-art treatment options for a wide range of complex thoracic conditions.

ERAS® Fuels Improvement

ERAS® Fuels Improvement

Since we launched an ERAS® program in 2018:

  • Our median length of stay has fallen from five days to three days. 
  • Our readmission rates are 44% below what is expected; Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center readmissions are in the top decile in the country. (Source: Premier)

Using Telepresence to Mentor Robotic Surgery Providers

We recently implemented a telepresence system that enables our robotic surgery experts to onboard and mentor new surgeons. The system allows our team to view and monitor individual procedures at multiple surgery locations, and to answer questions and offer advice in real time. This is enabling us to perform robotic surgery for more patients, with consistent, outstanding results across locations.

Sanger does more robot-assisted thoracic surgeries than any other center in the Charlotte region and we have some of the nation’s lowest rates for converting to open surgery. 

Thoracic Surgery

  • Chart showing types of Surgery Volume Cases (173 Pulmonary Resection Total Open, VATS and Volume, 297 General Thoracic Excluding Lobectomies, and 444 Major Thoracic).

  • 2.7%

    Thoracic Surgery
    In-hospital Mortality Rate
    (Excluding Lobectomies)

    Cedaron STS Database, August 2021 - July 2022


  • ~10,500

    Thoracic Surgery
    Patients with Atrium Health Levine Cancer
    Lung Cancer Screenings

    Internal Data, August 2017 - September 2022

  • Chart showing average length of stay decreasing over time.

Robot-Assisted Thoracic Surgeries

Our team has performed more than 800 robotic lobectomies and we now offer this procedure at our Cabarrus, Pineville and Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) locations.


  • 225

    Total Surgery Volume
    Cedaron STS Database,
    August 2021 - July 2022


  • 2.2%

    30-day Readmission Rate
    Cedaron STS Database,
    August 2021 - July 2022


  • 0.0%

    30-day Mortality Rate
    Cedaron STS Database,
    August 2021 - July 2022

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