Researchers with the Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome conducted a retrospective study to compare clinical outcomes between treatment options.
Research on Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Reveals Durable Treatment Options

Stories featuring basic science, translational and clinical research from throughout the Department of Surgery.
Researchers with the Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome conducted a retrospective study to compare clinical outcomes between treatment options.
Cardiothoracic trainees present research and visiting professor delivers lecture at annual Kouchoukos Research Day.
AAES Foundation award recognizes Brown’s investigations in new therapies for aggressive thyroid cancer.
Surgeons use virtual reality headsets for intraoperative planning of DIEP flap breast reconstruction.
Two new studies tackle questions regarding the reliability of the standardized elevated arm stress test in the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
Visiting professor and research presentations honor legacy of plastic surgery chair.
Four finalists presented research at 2022 Samuel A. Wells, Jr., Research Day Competition and two winners were selected by faculty vote
Research conducted by investigators at Washington University School of Medicine has demonstrated the improvement of rectal cancer treatment through short course radiation therapy. This regimen may represent a new standard for treatment in eliminating localized rectal cancer.
Several Washington University cardiothoracic surgery faculty members and trainees trekked to Boston to attend the American Association for Thoracic Surgery’s 102nd Annual Meeting.
Washington University urologic surgery faculty members and trainees travelled to New Orleans, LA, to attend the 2022 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting.
Breast cancer screening is necessary to detect this condition early enough to have an effective treatment program. Research by investigators at Washington University indicate that patients who hear conflicting information about screening are still interested in attending screening.
Vicky Peck, RN, Patient Safety and Quality Coordinator, and Erica Traxel, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery, helped create a culture of safety in the Division of Urologic Surgery by developing a program to track ureteral stents.
Dr. Isaiah Turnbull, a researcher and surgeon at Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, has received a four-year $1.5 million grant for his research on immunosuppression induced by burn injuries. This work is in partnership with the Military Burn Research Program.
Research by Washington University hernia surgeons finds a durable solution for treating complex recurrent ventral hernias. The findings are published in the journal Surgery.
Washington University School of Medicine cardiac surgeons review the long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure to treat atrial fibrillation. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of this procedure in patients with life-threatening heart arrhythmia.
The Department of Surgery’s Kristin Geile, RN, MSN, CCRC, was recently named a finalist for St. Louis Magazine’s 2022 Excellence in Nursing Awards.
Investigators from the Thoracic Immunology Laboratory have identified pathways leading to ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation. Their findings are published in the journal PNAS.
Washington University General Surgery residents and leaders of the Thoracic Immunobiology Laboratory collaborated to discuss the body’s innate immune responses that could lead to lung injury and allograft failure.
Researchers from Washington University and Siteman Cancer Center conduct research on patient health outcomes after surgery for stage I non-small cell lung cancer to understand if persistent smoking after surgery is associated with worse survival. They conclude that persistent smoking after surgery decreases the survival rates of patients.
Residency applicants need to know the fit of a program’s research education to their interests and needs. Ryan C. Fields, MD, the Director of Resident Research for the General Surgery Residency Program at Washington University, explains why WashU is an ideal location for research in surgery.
Physicians at Washington University School of Medicine conducted a research study on the disparities of post-surgery complications and readmission, visualizing differences of readmission between white and non-white patients. Patients of color are more likely to require readmission after surgery, which may be related to other lived disparities, such as barriers to accessing equal healthcare to their white counterparts.
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Caeli Vascular, Inc., are developing the first sequestered therapy device for removal of deep vein thrombosis.
WashU General Surgery resident Connor Callahan, MD, MSc, trained as the Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society John W. Kirklin-David Ashburn Fellow in Toronto.
Surgeons Adetunji Toriola, MD, PhD and Mohamed Zayed, MD, PhD from the Department of Surgery have received prestigious R01 grants from National Institutes of Health (NIH) for their research in cancer and vascular medicine, respectively.
The St. Louis Shock Symposium aims to help attendees understand of the optimal treatments of cardiogenic shock and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Colorectal screening, diagnosis and treatment are integral parts of overall health, but obstacles related to patient comfort can prevent effective medical intervention for colorectal illness. Having a diverse, accessible department of colorectal surgeons reassures patients and advances the optimal benefits for their colorectal health.
Exploring the history of research in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery begins with the career of surgeon and clinical researcher Dr. Evarts Graham. A gifted cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Graham’s research included one of the earliest studies of smoking as it contributed to lung cancer, and this pioneering work has directed similar research on smoking cessation and health impacts for decades.
Chief of Urologic Surgery Gerald Andriole, MD, was awarded for his outstanding and impactful research and work in the field of prostate cancer.
Washington University researchers recently compared outcomes between patients receiving care for lung cancer at VA versus non-VA hospitals.
Washington University urologic surgeons Henry Lai, MD, and Alana Desai, MD, joined forces with the Urinary Stone Disease Research Network to determine if behavioral interventions, like drinking more water, can prevent kidney stones.
Congratulations to Chet Hammill, MD, MCR, and Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, on leading winning teams in Big Ideas Competition.
Satona Tanaka, MD, Jason Gauthier, MD, and Daniel Kreisel, MD, PhD, receive 2021 AJT Outstanding Article Award for lung transplantation research.
The 30th anniversary of the Plastic Surgery Research Laboratories marks an exciting period of growth in the area of plastic and reconstructive surgery research.
Multidisciplinary research helps surgeons choose the right tool for stroke and peripheral arterial disease patients.
New Zayed Lab research grant aims to help prevent disease progression in patients with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease.
Inaugural Simulation and Education Fellow Eileen Smith, MD, presents research at Surgical Simulation Summit.
A new study from the Department of Surgery shows that the use of robotics for weight loss surgery has increased in recent years. Bariatric surgeons and public health scientists examine this rise and what it might mean for the future of weight loss surgery.
Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery Ralph Damiano, Jr., MD, shares life-saving advances in lung transplant and heart surgery with the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Yin Cao, ScD, MPH, is researching the troubling rise of early-onset colorectal cancer. In a series of publications, Cao’s research points to risk factors for the condition and offers some methods of prevention and improved screening.
Landmark study from the Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome finds reoperation for recurrent neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome to be safe and effective.
Two Department of Surgery faculty receive Skandalaris Center LEAP funding for translational research projects.
The Division of Urology offers hands-on training, fellowships and clinical research trials in endourology.
Results of an international study including School of Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center researchers show improved outcomes for patients with advanced cases of rectal cancer.
Researchers in Minimally Invasive Surgery study the impact of patient self-education on health care decisions regarding hernia repair and surgical mesh.
Ida Fox, MD, takes a biopsychosocial approach to medicine, helping people with spinal cord injuries regain hand function.
Plastic and Reconstructive, ACCS and Vascular surgeons are taking innovative steps in growing a limb salvage service for patients who might otherwise require amputation.
Gerald Andriole, MD, Chief of Urologic Surgery, leads the offensive against the most threatening forms of prostate cancer.
Washington University School of Medicine faculty study the impact of false-negative diagnoses in Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
Steven Strasberg, MD, focuses on delivering the best outcomes for all patients by measuring length of stay and readmission rates.