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PITTSBURGH -- Allegheny Health Network's Allegheny General, Jefferson, Forbes and Wexford hospitals have earned the highest possible rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for their comprehensive esophagectomy program, placing it among a select group of top-performing health systems in the nation for esophageal cancer surgery.
The designation reflects "better than expected" outcomes and positions respective network programs within the top tier of programs nationwide.
Esophagectomy, a procedure to remove part or all of the esophagus (tube connecting the mouth and stomach), is most commonly performed to treat esophageal cancer and is considered one of the most technically demanding operations in thoracic surgery.
Health outcomes following the procedure vary significantly, depending on surgical expertise, hospital resources, and post-operative care coordination.