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Dr. Stephanie Baltaji, MD is a critical care physician in Jefferson Hills, PA specializing in adult critical care. Dr. Stephanie Baltaji, MD is affiliated with Allegheny Health Network, American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology and ALLEGHENY CLINIC.
American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a thin tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, is inserted in the mouth or nose and slowly advanced to the lungs. This allows doctors to see the respiratory tract, which includes the throat, larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi (airways), and lungs. Doctors may recommend those who have or show signs of lung problems - for example, lung cancer or difficulty breathing - to undergo a bronchoscopy.
In performing a diagnostic bronchoscopy, doctors may only wish to visualize the respiratory tract, or doctors may also collect samples of tissue or fluid. The samples can help diagnose patients' conditions or, if patients have cancer, they can be used for staging purposes. One method for sample collection is bronchoalveolar lavage. In a bronchoalveolar lavage, doctors inject saline (salt water) through the bronchoscope and then suction it out of the airways. The washout collected is tested for lung disorders. Doctors can also insert a biopsy tool to collect tissue or mucus samples. The following are biopsies that can be performed by bronchoscopy:
For visualization, bronchoscopy can be done alone, or it can be combined with ultrasound. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows real-time imaging of the airway and is used for diagnosing and staging lung cancer, as well as for determining where the cancer has spread. EBUS can be performed with TBNA, a procedure known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).
Doctors can also use bronchoscopy as a treatment for lung problems. For example, if a foreign body is trapped in the airway, doctors can insert forceps through the bronchoscope to remove it. If the airway has become narrowed - which may occur if patients have an infection, cancer, or some other inflammatory issue - bronchoscopy can be used to place a device called a stent in the area of constriction. The stent will keep the airway open, allowing the patient to breathe properly.
During a bronchoscopy, patients will be given medication (sedative) to help them relax. If it is only a diagnostic bronchoscopy, patients will be kept awake, but if the bronchoscopy is for therapeutic purposes, patients will be put to sleep by general anesthesia. After the procedure, patients will need to stay in the hospital for a few hours. They will not be able to eat or drink for about 2 hours. Some patients may experience discomfort, such as a sore throat or pain while swallowing. Throat lozenges and gargling may help alleviate these symptoms, which should go away after a few days. Patients will need to have someone drive them home once their doctor determines that they are ready.
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, using a tiny opening to get inside the body instead of making a large cut. It uses small tools attached to a thin robotic arm, which is controlled by the surgeon. Robotic surgery may be referred to by the specific kind of robot that is used. The most advanced robot currently in use is called the da Vinci, and surgery using it is sometimes called da Vinci surgery.
There are many benefits to robotic surgery, both for the patient and the surgeon. Robotic surgery allows for more precise movements and increased control during very delicate surgical procedures. This makes performing surgery accurately much easier for surgeons and reduces fatigue. The smaller 'hand' of the robot can enter the body via a much smaller opening, which reduces the risk of infection and scarring and leads to a faster recovery. The robotic hands also contain tiny moveable cameras among their tools, giving surgeons a much closer view of the procedure than would be possible with traditional surgery.
She completed residency at Allegheny General Hospital. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine - Critical Care Medicine American Board of Internal Medicine - Pulmonary Disease American Board of Internal Medicine - Internal Medicine and has a state license in Pennsylvania.
Residency: Allegheny General Hospital
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine - Critical Care Medicine American Board of Internal Medicine - Pulmonary Disease American Board of Internal Medicine - Internal Medicine
Licensed In: Pennsylvania
Dr. Stephanie Baltaji, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Stephanie Baltaji, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
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$4,275
ION $3,000 |
Da Vinci Surgical System $1,275 |
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$1,847
PULMONX CHARTIS TABLET CONSOLE $1,546 |
Zephyr Endobronchial Valve $271 |
ZEPHYR DELIVERY CATHETER $31 |
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$1,288
Photofrin $1,288 |
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$467
FASENRA $207 |
$260 |
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$142
TEZSPIRE $142 |
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$474
NUCALA $124 |
SPACEOAR VUE $122 |
Arikayce $75 |
DUPIXENT $18 |
ACQUIRE $14 |
Other $120 |
| $3,243 | |
| $3,075 | |
| $2,175 |
Dr. Stephanie Baltaji's specialties are adult critical care, general practice, and pulmonology (lung & respiratory disease). Dr. Baltaji trained at Allegheny General Hospital for residency. Areas of expertise for Dr. Baltaji include lung biopsy, lung cancer, and bronchoscopy. She is affiliated with Allegheny Health Network.
