Benign and malignant pleural effusions represent major morbidities that significantly deteriorates patients quality of life and often their lifespan as well. Centers without dedicated thoracic surgeons often treat these conditions in a haphazard fashion with large bore chest tubes that mandate hospitalization and pigtails catheters which are not designed or safe for intermediate or long term usage.
Dr Sternberg treats more pleural effusions than any other thoracic surgeon in Michigan and was currently invited to join the national Carefusion design team to create the next generation of Pleur-X catheters. His expertise in treating these disorders without the use of large bore catheters, general anesthesia, or prolonged hospitalization allows patients to live symptom free with minimal morbidity and to return to chemotherapy far more quickly than otherwise achievable.