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Brian Mitzman
( out of 89 reviews )

Brian Mitzman, MD, MSCI, FACS, FCCP

Clinical Locations

Huntsman Cancer Institute - Cancer Hospital South

Clinic 1A, Thoracic
Salt Lake City
801-587-4470

University of ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²Ê Hospital

Cardiothoracic Surgery
Salt Lake City

Veterans Administration Medical Center

Salt Lake City
  • Dr. Brian Mitzman is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²Ê and Huntsman Cancer Institute, focusing on non-cardiac General Thoracic Surgery.

    Dr. Mitzman completed formal cardiothoracic surgery training at the University of Chicago. His clinical interests concentrate on Thoracic Surgical Oncology, and specifically the application of robotics for complex tumors. He previously completed all the requirements for certification under the American Association of Thoracic Surgery Robotics Fellowship, and currently serves as the Director of Robotic Thoracic Surgery at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He is also an Associate Program Director for the General Surgery Residency, with an emphasis on robotic surgical training.

    As a Huntsman Cancer Institute Investigator, Dr. Mitzman’s research interests focus on clinical outcomes and optimizing treatment approach for lung and esophageal cancer. He has specific expertise in cost-effectiveness, and determining the appropriate balance of cost and innovation in surgical technology. His research has been presented at both the Society for Thoracic Surgeons and American Association of Thoracic Surgery annual meetings. He has also been an invited author on numerous textbook chapters utilized by both trainees and practicing thoracic surgeons.

    Along with his research interests, Dr. Mitzman has a passion for surgical education and has held numerous national positions, including participating on the American College of Surgeons Operative Decision Making Workforce, the ACGME Milestones 2.0 Committee, and the STS Communications Taskforce. He currently serves as a Senior Editor for the Annals of Thoracic Surgery, an editorial board member for the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and as an Associate Editor of CTSNet (). In addition, he has been invited as a peer-reviewer for other numerous high impact journals, including the Journal for Surgical Research and Innovations.

    Board Certification

    American Board of Surgery
    American Board of Thoracic Surgery (Thoracic Surg)

    Patient Rating

    5.0 /5
    ( out of 89 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety.
    Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    July 31, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Cares, always understanding.

    July 21, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr Mitzman,explained everthing perfect about future treatment

    July 15, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Mitzman is one of a few doctors that I have personally had dealings with that in my opinion genuinely seeks to ensure that the patient understands all possible paths and outcomes.

    July 07, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Mitzman is a spectacular doctor. So knowledgeable, kind, helpful, caring and skilled. I am beyond grateful to him and his team for my care.

    July 01, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    He is Professional, he saved my life, he treated me like his family, Thank you very much Doctors and all huntsman staff.

    June 24, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Very concerned about me as the patient and also with my wife. Thank you

    June 16, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Even though all specialists and booked way out, Dr Mitzman & his staff made a good effort to get me in without a long wait and see me.

    June 15, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr Brian Mitzman is the Best! I would highly recommend him. After a year of debilitating pain and not living my daily life, Dr Mitzman listened to me. He did my surgery with great success! I am now able to do simple things again without nauseating pain. He is an Excellent surgeon with a great bedside manner, he listens and explains things well. I feel he genuinely cares. Thank you!

    June 12, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Mitzman showed genuine concern for me and my condition. Very easy to talk to and understand.

  • Dr. Brian Mitzman is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²Ê and Huntsman Cancer Institute, focusing on non-cardiac General Thoracic Surgery.

    Dr. Mitzman completed formal cardiothoracic surgery training at the University of Chicago. His clinical interests concentrate on Thoracic Surgical Oncology, and specifically the application of robotics for complex tumors. He previously completed all the requirements for certification under the American Association of Thoracic Surgery Robotics Fellowship, and currently serves as the Director of Robotic Thoracic Surgery at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He is also an Associate Program Director for the General Surgery Residency, with an emphasis on robotic surgical training.

    As a Huntsman Cancer Institute Investigator, Dr. Mitzman’s research interests focus on clinical outcomes and optimizing treatment approach for lung and esophageal cancer. He has specific expertise in cost-effectiveness, and determining the appropriate balance of cost and innovation in surgical technology. His research has been presented at both the Society for Thoracic Surgeons and American Association of Thoracic Surgery annual meetings. He has also been an invited author on numerous textbook chapters utilized by both trainees and practicing thoracic surgeons.

    Along with his research interests, Dr. Mitzman has a passion for surgical education and has held numerous national positions, including participating on the American College of Surgeons Operative Decision Making Workforce, the ACGME Milestones 2.0 Committee, and the STS Communications Taskforce. He currently serves as a Senior Editor for the Annals of Thoracic Surgery, an editorial board member for the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and as an Associate Editor of CTSNet (). In addition, he has been invited as a peer-reviewer for other numerous high impact journals, including the Journal for Surgical Research and Innovations.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Surgery -Primary
    Academic Divisions Cardiothoracic Surgery
    Board Certification
    American Board of Surgery
    American Board of Thoracic Surgery (Thoracic Surg)

    Education history

    Graduate Training University of ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²Ê M.S.C.I
    Cardiothoracic Surgery, Thoracic Track - University of Chicago Medicine Fellow
    Residency General Surgery - Lenox Hill Hospital Administrative Chief Resident
    General Surgery - Lenox Hill Hospital Resident
    Professional Medical Medicine - University at Buffalo School of Medicine M.D.
    Major: Biomedical Sciences; Minor: Biochemical Pharmacology - University at Buffalo B.S.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Brownlee A, Mitzman B, Ferguson MK (). Discharge Without a Chest Tube: A Safe and Cost Effective Approach to Mediastinal Biopsy. (Epub ahead of print) Ann Thorac Surg.
    2. Mitzman B, Wang X, Haaland B, Varghese TK Jr (2023). Variation in Treatment Charges and Reimbursement Among Individual Thoracic Surgeons. Ann Thorac Surg, 117(3), 645-650. ()
    3. Mitzman B, Varghese TK Jr, Akerley WL, Nelson RE (2024). Surgical-decision making in the setting of unsuspected N2 disease: a cost-effectiveness analysis. J Thorac Dis, 16(2), 1063-1073. ()
    4. Mitzman B (2023). An Innovative Solution to Lung Cancer Screening Adoption. Ann Thorac Surg, 117(2), 309-310. ()
    5. Mitzman B, Wang X, Haaland B, Varghese TK Jr (2023). Variability in Excess Lobectomy Billing Among US Thoracic Surgeons. Ann Surg Oncol, 30(12), 7492-7498. ()
    6. Mitzman B (2022). Lung Cancer Treatment Is a Team Sport. Ann Thorac Surg, 115(2), 345-346. ()
    7. Mitzman B (2022). Let's Talk About Those Lymph Nodes. Ann Thorac Surg, 115(1), 182-183. ()
    8. Mitzman B (2022). Fighting the Clock: Minimizing Time-to-Treatment. Ann Thorac Surg. ()
    9. Mitzman B (2022). A More Accurate Crystal Ball for Lung Surgeons. Ann Thorac Surg, 114(6), 2057-2058. ()
    10. Mitzman B, Chikwe J (2022). Editors' Choice: Challenges of Randomized Trials of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Ann Thorac Surg, 114(5), 1531-1533. ()
    11. Mitzman B (2022). It's All About the Nodes. Ann Thorac Surg. ()
    12. Mitzman B, Wang X, Haaland B, Varghese TK Jr (2022). Trends and factors affecting approach choice to pulmonary resection. J Surg Oncol, 126(3), 599-608. ()
    13. Mitzman B, Varghese TK Jr, Kuchta K, Krantz SB (2021). National guideline concordance and outcomes for pathologic N2 disease in non-small cell lung cancer. J Thorac Dis, 14(5), 1360-1373. ()
    14. Kent MS, Hartwig MG, Vallires E, Abbas AE, Cerfolio RJ, Dylewski MR, Fabian T, Herrera LJ, Jett KG, Lazzaro RS, Meyers B, Mitzman BA, Reddy RM, Reed MF, Rice DC, Ross P, Sarkaria IS, Schumacher LY, Tisol WB, Wigle DA, Zervos M (2021). Pulmonary Open, Robotic and Thoracoscopic Lobectomy (PORTaL) Study: An Analysis of 5,721 Cases. Ann Surg. ()
    15. Mitzman B (2021). Similar Yet Different: The COVID-19 Pneumothorax. Ann Thorac Surg. ()
    16. Angel LF, Amoroso NE, Rafeq S, Mitzman B, Goldenberg R, Shekar SP, Troxel AB, Zhang Y, Chang SH, Kwak P, Amin MR, Sureau K, Nafday HB, Thomas S, Kon Z, Sommer PM, Segal LN, Moore WH, Cerfolio R (2021). Percutaneous Dilational Tracheostomy for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation. Crit Care Med, 49, 1058-1067. ()
    17. Antonoff MB, Mitzman B, Backhus L, Bradbury ST, Chatterjee S, Cooke DT, Crestanello J, Goldstone AB, Kim KM, Nguyen TC, Romano JC, Vaporciyan AA, Varghese TK Jr (2020). The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Virtual Conference Taskforce: Recommendations for Hosting a Virtual Surgical Meeting. Ann Thorac Surg, 111(1), 16-23. ()
    18. Brownlee AR, Mitzman B, Cyzman R, Ferguson MK (2020). Outpatient Thoracoscopic Mediastinal Biopsy: A Safe and Cost-Effective Approach. Ann Thorac Surg, 110(5), 1726-1729. ()
    19. Angel L, Kon ZN, Chang SH, Rafeq S, Palasamudram Shekar S, Mitzman B, Amoroso N, Goldenberg R, Sureau K, Smith DE, Cerfolio RJ (2020). Novel Percutaneous Tracheostomy for Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19. Ann Thorac Surg, 110(3), 1006-1011. ()
    20. Geraci TC, Ferrari-Light D, Wang S, Mitzman B, Chang SH, Kent A, Pass HI, Bizekis C, Zervos M, Cerfolio RJ (2020). Robotic Sleeve Resection of the Airway: Outcomes and Technical Conduct Using Video Vignettes. Ann Thorac Surg, 110(1), 236-240. ()
    21. Balkhy HH, Kitahara H, Mitzman B, Nisivaco S (2019). Robotic totally endoscopic beating-heart bypass to the right coronary artery: first worldwide experience. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg, 57(3), 529-534. ()
    22. Ferguson MK, Mitzman B, Derstine B, Lee SM, Pienta MJ, Wang SC, Lin J (2019). A Morphomic Index Is an Independent Predictor of Survival After Lung Cancer Resection. Ann Thorac Surg, 109(3), 873-878. ()
    23. Mitzman B, Schipper PH, Edwards MA, Kim S, Ferguson MK (2018). Complications After Esophagectomy Are Associated With Extremes of Body Mass Index. Ann Thorac Surg, 106(4), 973-980. ()
    24. Krantz SB, Mitzman B, Lutfi W, Kuchta K, Wang CH, Howington JA, Kim KW (2018). Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Shows No Survival Advantage to Chemotherapy Alone in Stage IIIA Patients. Ann Thorac Surg, 105(4), 1008-1016. ()
    25. Mitzman B, Lutfi W, Wang CH, Krantz S, Howington JA, Kim KW (2017). Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy Provides Equivalent Survival to Open Esophagectomy: An Analysis of the National Cancer Database. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 29(2), 244-253. ()
    26. Mitzman B, Cottam D, Goriparthi R, Cottam S, Zaveri H, Surve A, Roslin MS (2016). Stomach Intestinal Pylorus Sparing (SIPS) Surgery for Morbid Obesity: Retrospective Analyses of Our Preliminary Experience. Obes Surg, 26(9), 2098-2104. ()
    27. Roslin MS, Gagner M, Goriparthi R, Mitzman B (2014). The rationale for a duodenal switch as the primary surgical treatment of advanced type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic disease. Surg Obes Relat Dis, 11(3), 704-10. ()
    28. Mitzman B, Caronia J, Mina B, Stavropoulos C (2015). Incidental tracheal diverticulum discovered 30 years after tracheo-esophageal fistula repair. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol, 22(1), 73-5. ()

    Review

    1. Contreras N, Varghese TK Jr, Mitzman B (2024). Management of Congenital Hernias in Adults: Foramen of Morgagni Hernia. [Review]. Thorac Surg Clin, 34(2), 147-154. ()
    2. Mitzman B, Smith BK, Varghese TK Jr (2022). Resident Training in Robotic Thoracic Surgery. [Review]. Thorac Surg Clin, 33(1), 25-32. ()

    Book Chapter

    1. Mitzman B (). VATS vs Open Decortication for Pleural Empyema. In Ferguson M (Ed.), Difficult Decisions in Thoracic Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach (4th edition). London: Springer.
    2. Mitzman B, Ferguson MK (2020). Resection of Benign Tumors of the Esophagus. In Sugarbaker DJ, Bueno R, Burt BM, Groth SS, Loor G, Wolf AS, Williams M, Adams A (Eds.), Sugarbaker’s Adult Chest Surgery (3 edition). McGraw-Hill Education.
    3. Mitzman B, Ferguson MK (2020). Selection and Placement of Conduits. In Pearson’s Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery (4th edition). Available: Https://sts.gitbooks.io/pearsons-thoracic/: Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

    Case Report

    1. Mirzai S, Yang B, Mitzman B, Torregrossa G, Balkhy HH (2020). Robotic Repair of Adult Left-Sided Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection. Ann Thorac Surg, 111(2), e77-e79. ()
    2. Daskalaki D, Hakmi H, Stright A, Mitzman B, Mair ER, Joseph DK, Baltazar GA (2020). Bullet embolization to the heart: A rare and confounding penetrating cardiac injury case report. Int J Surg Case Rep, 73, 35-38. ()
    3. Balaney B, Mitzman B, Fung J, Paul JD (2018). Diagnosis and management of rare inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma guided by a novel minimally invasive vascular biopsy technique. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv, 92(4), 752-756. ()

    Editorial

    1. Mitzman B (2022). Is Less Really More? Sublobar Resection in the Elderly. Ann Surg Oncol, 30(3), 1293-1294. ()
    2. Chikwe J, Mitzman B (2022). Editor's Choice: A Place for All Thoracic Surgeons. Ann Thorac Surg, 114(6), 1991-1994. ()
    3. Mitzman B, Chikwe J (2022). Editor's Choice: The Biggest Challenges in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Ann Thorac Surg, 114(4), 1099-1103. ()
    4. Mitzman B (2022). Commentary: Sunlight, lasers, or knives? How to treat typical carcinoid tumors. JTCVS Tech, 15, 164. ()
    5. Mitzman B (2022). Commentary: A New Double-Blinded Study: The Residency Application Process. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. ()
    6. Sridhar P, Mitzman B (2022). Commentary: Anatomic segmentectomy: The exception, not the rule. JTCVS Open, 9, 279-280. ()
    7. Mitzman B (2021). Commentary: Battle of the bulge. JTCVS Tech, 10, 538-539. ()
    8. Mitzman B (2021). Commentary: A new "lost" generation. JTCVS Open, 7, 411-412. ()
    9. Mitzman B (2021). Commentary: Matters of the Heart: Understanding the Unusual. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. ()
    10. Mitzman B (2021). Commentary: Rise of the machines. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. ()
    11. Mitzman B, Beller JP, Edgar L (2020). Thoracic surgery milestones 2.0: Rationale and revision. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 160(5), 1399-1404. ()
    12. Mitzman B (2020). Commentary: Time to take ownership of the first rib. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 162, 1308-1309. ()
    13. Mitzman B (2019). Commentary: Taking matters into your own hands: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for controlled reperfusion during lung transplantation. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 160(1), 330-331. ()
    14. Mitzman B (2020). Commentary: Knowing when to accept and when to change: 30-day mortality is good enough. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. ()
    15. Mitzman B (2020). Commentary: A call-to-arms: Shifting culture in cardiothoracic surgery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. ()
    16. Mitzman B (2020). Commentary: Resecting the Inoperable - Pushing the Boundaries for Individualized Treatment. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 32(4), 1138-1139. ()

    Other

    1. Kent MS, Mitzman B, Diaz-Gutierrez I, Khullar OV, Fernando H, Backhus L, Brunelli A, Cassivi SD, Cerfolio RJ, Crabtree TD, Kakuturu J, Martin LW, Raymond DP, Schumacher L, Hayanga JWA (2024). The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Expert Consensus Document on the Management of Pleural Drains following Pulmonary Lobectomy. Ann Thorac Surg. Netherlands. ()

    Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast

    1. Mitzman B (2020). Transitioning to the OR at Your New Insitution [Web]. Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
    2. Antonoff M, Mitzman B, Maddaus M, Mehran RJ (2020). Managing Crises: Surviving the Pandemic and Resilience Beyond [Live Stream] [Web]. CTSNet.
    3. Nguyen TC, Chikwe J, Mitzman B (2020). Global COVID Grand Rounds [Live Stream] [Web]. CTSNet.
    4. Antonoff M, Edwards M, Mitzman B, Gillaspie E (2020). Wellness for the Healthcare Professional During the Pandemic [Video]. CTSNet.
    5. Mitzman B, Yang S, Brownlee A, Sudarshan M (2020). The Effect of COVID-19 on Cardiothoracic Surgery Education [Video]. CTSNet.
    6. Mitzman B, Wood D (2020). Definition of Necessary Surgery in the Age of COVID-19: An Interview with Douglas E. Wood [Video]. CTSNet.
    7. Mitzman B, Cheng A, Sihoe A, Gerosa G (2020). COVID-19: An international Perspective [Video]. CTSNet.
    8. Mitzman B, McCrorey M M, Patel B, Balkhy HH (2018). Anastomotic Techniques for Robotic Beating-Heart Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass [Video]. CTSNet.
    9. Dunning J, Mitzman B (2018). Interview with Brian Mitzman: Winner of the 2017 CTSNet Resident Video Competition [Video]. https://ctsnet.org/article/interview-brian-mitzman-winner-2017-ctsnet-resident-video-competition: eTSNet.