Skip to main content
Find a DoctorGet Care Now
Skip to main content
Search icon magnifying glass

Contrast

Contact

Share

MyChart

Help

Overview

The Pulmonary Intervention Program (PIP) is a joint program between pulmonary/critical care medicine and thoracic surgery at Smilow Cancer Hospital. This collaboration combines advanced, state-of-the-art technology with physicians dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of patients with lung diseases.

The following minimally-invasive procedures are some highlights of the program:

Read More

Evaluation and Treatment of Lung Disease

Peripheral endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)

This exciting technology improves the yield for diagnosing lung nodules, masses or infiltrates compared to bronchoscopy without ultrasound-guidance. Smilow Cancer Hospital is one of only a few hospitals in the state with this technology.

Electromagnetic navigation

Smilow Cancer Hospital is the only hospital in the state of Connecticut offering this "GPS-like" bronchoscopic guidance through the lungs to nodules or masses in need of diagnosis.

Confocal microscopy

Physicians at Yale are among the first in the world to use and research this endomicroscopic system that enables visualization within the alveolus of the lung. Its applicability is anticipated to extend towards diagnosing and understanding lung disease at a microscopic level.

Whole Lung Lavage

PIP physicians are trained to treat patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) through this and other techniques.

Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)

Many of today's surgeries for the treatment of lung cancer or for the diagnosis of lung diseases can be performed through minimally invasive techniques, including VATS and other procedures.

Evaluation and Treatment of Mediastinal Disease

Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)

EBUS has revolutionized the ability to diagnose mediastinal lymph node involvement and the diagnosis of central lung lesions. YNHH has the most experience and expertise with this technology of any hospital in the state.

Mediastinoscopy/Mediastinotomy

The thoracic surgeons at Yale are specially trained in the surgical evaluation and treatment of mediastinal disease.

Evaluation and Treatment of Pleural Disease

Pleural Effusions

Ultrasound-guidance improves the safety of removing fluid from around the lungs (thoracentesis). PIP Physicians are trained in pleural ultrasound and offer same-day evaluation and procedures for patients with pleural effusions.

Tunneled Pleural Catheters

When surgery is not an option, the placement of small tubes can allow drainage of fluid that accumulates around the lungs. This is particularly useful for effusions caused by cancer, allowing people to control the drainage of the fluid at home.

Tunneled Pleural Catheters

The diagnosis and treatment of various pleural diseases can be accomplished by minimally-invasive techniques in the pleural space. This enables a fast recovery for pleural diseases.

Evaluation and Treatment of Airway Disease

Airway stent placement

PIP offers flexible and rigid bronchoscopic modalities for placing airway stents in patients who cannot breathe well due to obstruction of the airways. Whether the stent is silicone, metal, hybrid, Y-shaped, specifically configured or otherwise, physicians at Yale have the skills necessary to place and manage these stents.

Airway therapy

Laser, argon plasma coagulation, and electrocautery are some of the techniques available to assist in managing airway lesions (cancerous and benign tumors). These therapies are available at Smilow Cancer Hospital.

Yale School of Medicine

Yale New Haven Health is proud to be affiliated with the prestigious Yale University and its highly ranked Yale School of Medicine.