The 3^rd International Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Summit is once again bringing together a group of thoracic surgeons dedicated to the field of minimally invasive general thoracic surgery. The goal is to present the current state-of-the-art and give insights and data based on the faculty's experience on where the field is heading.

The agenda discusses a range of topics presented by leaders in the field. Pertaining to lung cancer, these include minimally invasive approaches to lung cancer treatment, lung cancer screening, and new developments in lung cancer molecular biology. The workup and staging of esophageal cancer and benign esophageal disorders as well as the best treatment for esophageal malignancy are highlighted.

Minimally invasive approaches to the mediastinum are reviewed. For each area, the potential for application of the robot is featured. A fascinating section focuses on new developments in technology, including stent therapy, navigational bronchoscopy, lung localization options, sentinel node identification in lung cancer, and ablative and innovative radiation techniques.

An outstanding compilation of the most up-to-date information in the field of minimally invasive thoracic surgery.

Please join us October 7th and 8th, 2011 at The Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

Sincerely,

Scott Swanson, MD

Educational Goal

Upon completion of this activity, participants will have a greater appreciation for new diagnostic and surgical techniques in minimally invasive thoracic surgery as well as in thoracic disease.

Target Audience

Thoracic Surgeons, Pulmonologists, Gastroenterologists, Internal Medicine Specialists, Primary Care Physicians, Residents and Fellows, Nurses, Physician Assistants and other Allied Healthcare Professionals.

Learning Objectives

Apply staging and resection strategies for the treatment of malignant and benign esophageal disease.
Describe various surgical approaches to the treatment of mediastinum and chest wall procedures.
Analyze advanced technologies in minimally invasive thoracic surgery and bronchoscopy.
Identify appropriate procedures for lung cancer screening.
Integrate several surgical procedures for the surgical treatment of lung cancer.
Determine staging and resection strategies for the treatment of lung cancer.

Disclosure Policy

It is the policy of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery that any individual who is involved in planning, presenting or is an author on a program designated for AMA Physician's Recognition Award Category 1 Credit^TM must disclose any financial interest or other relationship (grant, research support, consultant, etc.) that individual has with any manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) that may be discussed in the individual's presentation. This information is disclosed to the audience prior to an activity. The AATS has procedures in place if a conflict of interest should arise. In addition, faculty members are asked to disclose when any discussion of unapproved use of pharmaceutical or medical device occurs.

For further information on the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards of Commercial Support, please visit www.accme.org.