Thane A. Blinman, MD, MBA, FACS

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Thane A. Blinman, MD, MBA, FACS, is an attending pediatric surgeon and Director of the General Surgery Fellowship Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Areas of Expertise: Minimally invasive surgery, Trauma surgery, Surgical critical care and pediatric trauma, Surgical nutrition, Surgical education, Myasthenia gravis, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Biliary disease, Congenital lung lesions
Locations: Main Hospital

Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Background

Dr. Blinman is an attending surgeon at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and associate professor of Surgery at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He also serves as the Director of the General Surgery Fellowship Program and Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery at CHOP. He is the holder of the Surgical Technology and Technique Endowed Chair in Pediatric Surgery.

As a general surgeon, Dr. Blinman has a wide area of interest in pediatric conditions.

Dr. Blinman leads the Surgical Reflux Clinic (SIX), a unique multidisciplinary program that supports patients and families following surgery for GERD.

"With the SIX Clinic, we really bring a holistic approach to patient care,” Dr. Blinman said. “We have a great deal of expertise and experience working with GERD patients, customizing surgical and nonsurgical treatment, as well as following them long-term.”

Dr. Blinman also has an interest in advancing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) — particularly in neonates and in particularly vulnerable populations of children, such as those with conditions like congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) and Hirschsprung’s disease.

By using minimally invasive surgery to treat these conditions, surgeons can use smaller instruments and tools, smaller surgical incisions, and babies can recover more quickly after surgery.

Dr. Blinman earned his bachelor's of science degree in biology and kinesiology from the University of California at Los Angeles, CA, and his medical degree from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. He completed his internship and surgical residency at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Dr. Blinman completed a research fellowship at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, and a pediatric surgery fellowship at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Dr. Blinman has authored dozens of clinical articles and book chapters, served as a reviewer for peer-reviewed medical journals and is a frequent presenter at local and national surgical conferences. Additionally, Dr. Blinman has appeared in several videos and podcasts regarding pediatric surgical techniques and treatments.

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Internship

General Surgery - UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Residency

General Surgery - UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Fellowship

Research - West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Pediatric Surgery - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Board Certification

General Surgery – American Board of Surgery
Pediatric Surgery – American Board of Surgery

Graduate Degree

MBA - Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Titles and Academic Titles

Attending Surgeon

Director, General Surgery Fellowship

Surgical Technology and Technique Endowed Chair in Pediatric Surgery

Vice Chair of Surgical Education, Department of Surgery

Assistant Director, Trauma Surgery

Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery

Associate Professor of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Conditions Treated

Departments and Services

Publications

Papers

2021

Swendiman RA, Jones RE, Blinman TA, Krummel T.  Disrupting the Fellowship Match:  COVID-19 and the Applicant Arms Race.  J Surg Educ. 2021 Jul-Aug;78(4):1069-1072

Traynor MD, Antiel RM, Camazine MN, Blinman TA, Nance ML, Eghtesady P, Lam SC, Hall M, Feudtner C.  Surgical Interventions During End-of-Life Hospitalizations in Children’s Hospitals.  Pediatrics. 2021 Dec 1;148(6) 

2020

Swendiman RA, Hatchimonji JS, Allukian M 3rd, Blinman TA, Nance ML, Nace GW. Pediatric firearm injuries: Anatomy of an epidemic. Surgery. 2020 Sep;168(3):381-384

2019

Brown SES, Antiel RM, Blinman TA, Shaw S, Neuman MD, Feudtner C.  Pediatric perioperative DNR orders: a case series in a children’s hospital.  J Pain Symptom Manage 2019 Feb 4.

Swendiman RA, Hoffman DI, Bruce AN, Blinman TA, Nance ML, Chou CM. Qualities and methods of highly effective surgical educators: a grounded theory model.  J Surg Educ 2019 Mar 15

Kim AG, Upah SA, Brandsema JF, Yum SW, Blinman TA: Thoracoscopic thymectomy for juvenile myasthenia gravis.  Pediatr Surg Int 2019 May 35(5) 603-610.

2018

Oquendo YA, Riddle EW, Hiller D, Blinman TA, Kuchenbecker KJ.  Automatically rating trainee skill at pediatric laparoscopic suturing task.  Surg Endosc 2018 Apr:32(4)1840-1857

Connelly J., Blinman T.  Special Equipment considerations for neonatal ECMO.  Semin. Perinatol 2018 Jan 4

Rossidis AC, Bose SK, Nance ML, Blinman TA.  Reply to Letter to Editor. J Pediatr Surg 2018 Apr;53(4):854

Rossidis AC, Tharakan SJ, Nance ML, Blinman TA.  Reply to Letter to Editor. J Pediatr Surg 2018  Apr;53(4):856

2017

Laje P, Blinman TA, Nance ML, Peranteau WH. Laparoscopic fundoplication in neonates and young infants:  Failure rate and need for redo at a high-volume center.  J Pediatr Surg 2017 Feb;52(2)257-259

Perea L, Blinman T, Piccione J, Laje P. Bilateral congenital lobar emphysema: staged management.  J Pediatr Surg 2017 Sep (52)9

Rossidis AC, Tharakan SJ, Bose SK, Shedkar KV, Nance ML, Blinman TA. Predictors of pediatric blunt cerebrovascular injury.  J Ped Surg 2017 Oct 12

2016

Antiel RM, Blinman TA, Tentea RM, Gonzalez KW, Knott EM. et al.  When a surgical colleague makes an error.  Pediatrics 2016 Mar;137(3)

Tharakan SJ, Kim AG, Collins JL, Nance ML, Blinman TA.  Laparoscopy in pediatric abdominal trauma: A 13-year experience.  Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2016 Oct 26(5)

Muir A, Otero H, Blinman T, Wen J.  Use of magnetic resonance imaging with hepatobiliary-specific contrast agent for precise localization of a bile duct leak.  J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2016 Sep;63(3):e36 

Antiel RM, Blinman TA.  To Leave or to Lie: Duty Hour Restrictions and Patient Ownership.  Am J. Bioeth 2016 Sep;16(9):13-5.

Tharakan SJ, Hiller D, Shapiro R, Sourav B, Blinman TA.  Vessel sealing comparison: old school is still hip.  Surgical Endoscopy 2016 Oct;30(10):4653-8. 

2015

Jensen EA, Munson DA, Zhang H, Blinman TA, Kirpalani H. Anti-gastroesophageal reflux surgery in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015;50(6):584-587.

2014

Tsai J, Blinman TA, Collins JL, Laje P, Hedrick HL, Adzick NS, Flake AW.  The contribution of hiatal hernia to severe gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with gastroschisis.  J Pediatric Surgery 49(3):395-398, Mar. 2014

Cook RC, Blinman TA.  Alleviation of retching and feeding intolerance after fundoplication.  Nutrition in Clinical Practice 29(3):386-396, June 2014

Blinman TA.  MIS-behavior: Practical heuristics for precise pediatric minimally invasive surgery.  Urol Clin North Am. 2015 Feb;42(1):131-40.

Jensen E, Munson DA, Zhang H, Blinman TA, Kirplani H.  Anti-gastroesophageal reflux surgery in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015 Jun;50(6):584-7. doi: 10.1002/ppul.23052. Epub 2014 Apr 21.

Fenton SJ, Blinman TA, Cook RC, Collins JL.  Surgical management of a retrohepatic inferior vena cava injury following blunt abdominal trauma.  J Pediatric Surgery Case Reports 2 (11); 501-504, Nov 2014.

2013

Ragavan MV, Blinman TA, Fieldston ES.  Scheduled Surgery admissions and occupancy at a children’s hospital:  Variation we can control to improve efficiency and value in health care deliver.  Annals of Surgery 257(3):564-570, Mar. 2013.

Sahn B. Blinman TA, Cahill AM, Bhatti T, Magbool A, Mamula P, Anupindi SA. Vascular malformation as a cause of occult GI bleeding.  Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.  June 2013 (Epub ahead of print).

2012

Croll A, Blinman TA.  The eccentricities of nourishing the infant with abdominal anomalies. Topics in Clinical Nutrition 27(3):218-230, Aug. 2012.

2011

Calabria AC, Gallagher PR, Simmons R, Blinman T, De León DD. Postoperative surveillance and detection of postprandial hypoglycemia after fundoplasty in children. J Pediatr. 2011 Oct;159(4):597-601.e1. Epub 2011 May 17.
Cited in PubMed; PMID 21592499.

Biko DM, Anupindi SA, Hanhan SB, Blinman T, Markowitz RI. Assessment of recurrent abdominal symptoms after Ladd procedure: clinical and radiographic correlation. J Pediatr Surg. 2011 Sep;46(9):1720-5. Cited in PubMed; PMID 21929980.

Blinman T, Cook R. Allometric prediction of energy expenditure in infants and children. Infant Child Adolesc Nutr. 2011 Aug;3(4):216-224. Cited in PubMed; PMCID: PMC3255515.

Santore MT, Deans KJ, Behar BJ, Blinman TA, Adzick NS, Flake AW. Laparoscopic hepaticoduodenostomy versus open hepaticoduodenostomy for reconstruction after resection of choledochal cyst. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2011 May;21(4):375-8. Epub 2011 Mar 28. Cited in PubMed; PMID 21443442.

Frioux SM, Blinman T, Christian CW. Vaginal lacerations from consensual intercourse in adolescents. Child Abuse Negl. 2011 Jan;35(1):69-73. Cited in PubMed; PMID 21315449.

Santore MT, Behar BJ, Blinman TA, Doolin EJ, Hedrick HL, Mattei P, et al. Hepaticoduodenostomy vs hepaticojejunostomy for reconstruction after resection of choledochal cyst. J Pediatr Surg. 2011 Jan;46(1):209-13. Cited in PubMed; PMID 21238669.

2010

Pineles SL, Avery RA, Moss HE, Finkel R, Blinman T, Kaiser L, Liu GT. Visual and systemic outcomes in pediatric ocular myasthenia gravis. Am J Ophthalmol. Am J Ophthalmol. 2010 Oct;150(4):453-459.e3. Epub 2010 Aug 1. Cited in PubMed; PMID 20678749.

Blinman T. Incisions do not simply sum. Surg Endosc. 2010 Jul;24(7):1746-51. Epub 2010 Jan 7. Cited in PubMed; PMID 20054565.

2009

Blinman TA, Houseknecht E, Snyder C, Wiebe DJ, Nance ML.  Postconcussive symptoms in hospitalized pediatric patients after mild traumatic brain injury.  Journal of Pediatric Surgery 44(6):1223-1228, June 2009.

2008

Polk-Williams A, Car BG, Blinman TA, Masiakos PT, Wiebe DJ, Nance ML.  Cervical spine injury in young children: A National Trauma Data Bank review.  Journal of Pediatric Surgery 43(9):1718-1721, Sept. 2008.

2007

Rothenberg S, Holcomb G, Georgeson K, Irish M, Lucas E, Blinman T.  Web-based live telesurgery for minimally invasive procedures in children as an educational tool. Journal of Laparoendoscopic Advanced Surgical Techniques, Part A. 17(2):226-229, Apr. 2007.

2002

Holly LT, Kelly DF, Counelis GJ, Blinman T, McArthur DL, Cryer HG.  Cervical spine trauma associated with moderate and severe head injury: incidence, risk factors, and injury characteristics.  Journal of Neurosurgery 96(3 Suppl):285-291, Apr. 2002.

Stafford PW, Blinman TA, Nance ML.  Practical points in evaluation and resuscitation of the injured child.  Surgical Clinics of North America 82(2):273-301, Apr. 2002.

Savard CE, Blinman TA, Choi HS, Lee SK, Pandol SJ, Lee SP.  Expression of cytokine and chemokine mRNA and secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by gallbladder epithelial cells: Response to bacterial lipopolysaccharides.  BMC Gastroenterology 2:23, Oct. 11, 2002.

2000

Gloor B, Blinman TA, Rigberg DA, Todd KE, Lane JS, Hines OJ, Reber HA.  Kupffer cell blockade reduces hepatic and systemic cytokine levels and lung injury in hemorrhagic pancreatitis in rats.  Pancreas 21(4):414-420, Nov. 2000.

Blinman TA, Gukovsky I, Mouria M, Zaninovic V, Livingston E, Pandol SJ, Gukovskaya AS.   Activation of pancreatic acinar cells on isolation from tissue: cytokine upregulation via p38 MAP kinase.  American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology 279(6):C1993-2003, Dec. 2000.

1999

Rigberg DA, Blinman TA, Kim FS, Cole MA, McFadden DW.  Antisense blockade of p21/WAF1 decreases radiation-induced G2 arrest in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Journal of Surgical Research 81(1):6-10, Jan. 1999.

Broker BJ, Chakrabarti R, Blinman T, Roesler J, Wang MB, Srivatsan ES.  Comparison of growth factor expression in fetal and adult fibroblasts: a preliminary report.  Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery 125(6):676-680, June 1999.

1998

Rigberg DA, Kim FS, Blinman TA, Cole MA, Lane JS, So J, McFadden DW.  p21 expression is increased by irradiation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.  Journal of Surgical Research 76(2):137-142, May 1998.

Rigberg DA, Centeno JM, Blinman TA, Towfigh S, McFadden DW.  Two decades of cervical esophagostomy: indications and outcomes.  American Surgeon 64(10):939-941, Oct. 1998.

Gukovsky I, Gukovskaya AS, Blinman TA, Zaninovic V, Pandol SJ.  Early NF-kappaB activation is associated with hormone-induced pancreatitis.  American Journal of Physiology 275(6 Pt 1):G1402-1414, Dec. 1998.

1996

Chang MC, Blinman TA, Rutherford EJ, Nelson LD, Morris JA Jr.  Preload assessment in trauma patients during large-volume shock resuscitation.  Archives of Surgery 131(7):728-731, July 1996.

1993

Morris JA Jr, Eddy VA, Blinman TA, Rutherford EJ, Sharp KW.  The staged celiotomy for trauma. Issues in unpacking and reconstruction.  Annals of Surgery 217(5):576-586, May 1993.

1991

Schriger DL, Larmon B, LeGassick T, Blinman T. Spinal immobilization on a flat backboard: Does it result in neutral position of the cervical spine? Annals of Emergency Medicine 20(8):878-881, Aug. 1991.

Books

Chapters

2022

Blinman, T. (2022). Mediastinal Masses. In: Mattei, P. (eds) Fundamentals of Pediatric Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07524-7_45

2015

Blinman, TA. Gastroesophageal Reflux and the Neonatal Airway. In: Sobol S, Lioy J, ed. Disorders of the Neonatal Airway. New York: Springer; 2015. p. 281-294.

2014

Blinman TA.  The impact of gastroesophageal reflux on the neonatal airway. Chap. in Lioy J, Sobol S (eds.):  Disorders of the Neonatal Airway.  Berlin:  Springer, 2014

Blinman TA, Nance ML.  Trauma: Epidemiology, scoring and triage systems, and injury prevention. Part 8, Chap. 77 in Zeigler M, Azizkhan R, Weber T, Stevens AT (eds):  Operative Pediatric Surgery, Second Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2014, 1029-1041.

2011

Blinman TA. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In: Mattei P, editor. Fundamentals of pediatric surgery. New York: Springer; 2011. p. 333-41.

Blinman TA. Pediatric trauma resuscitation. In: Mattei P, editor. Fundamentals of pediatric surgery. New York: Springer; 2011. p. 103-9.

Blinman TA, Rothenberg SS. Laparoscopic repair of diaphragmatic defects: congenital diaphragmatic hernia (of Bochdalek) and eventration. In: Bax Klaas KNMA, Georgeson KE, Rothenberg S, Valla JS, Yeung CK, editors. Endoscopic surgery in infants and children. Berlin: Springer; 2008. p. 569-73.

2008

Blinman T, Nance ML. Special consideration in trauma in children. In Flint L, Meredith JW, Schwab CW, Trunkey DD, Rue LW, Taheri PA, editors. Trauma: contemporary principles and therapy. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins; 2008. p. 575-95.

1999

Chandler C, Blinman T, Cryer H. Acute renal failure. In: Mattox DL, Moore EE, Feliciano DV, editors. Trauma. 4th ed. New York: Appleton & Lange; 1999. p. 174-201.

Posters and Presentations

Invited Lectures

2019

Blinman TA. “Choking on the milk bone” Neonatal and Gastroesophageal lung disease.  5th Annual Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Chronic Lung Disease Conference.  Union League, Philadelphia, PA. .“Choking on the milk bone” Neonatal and Gastroesophageal lung disease.  5th Annual Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Chronic Lung Disease Conference.  Union League, Philadelphia, PA. Mar. 13, 2019

Blinman TA. Moderator, Plenary Session IV Debate -Transfusion Ratios, TXA, Status Quo. John M. Templeton Jr. Pediatric Trauma Symposium.  Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA. Mar. 2, 2019.

Blinman TA. “Starve the Ego…Feed the Baby! John M. Templeton Jr. Pediatric Trauma Symposium.  Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA. Mar. 1, 2019.

Awards and Honors

2001, Golden Scalpel Award for Excellence in Teaching, UCLA Division of General Surgery
2001, Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, UCLA School of Medicine
1994, Canby Robinson Society Award, Vanderbilt University Surgery
1990, UCLA Regents Scholar
1990, UCLA Alumni Scholar

Editorial and Academic Positions

Editorial positions

Ad hoc reviewer

2005-present, Anesthesia and Analgesia
2004-present, Annals of Surgery
2004-present, Pediatric Emergency Care
2004-present, Surgical Endoscopy

Academic and institutional committees

2010-present, Medical Education Council
 - 2013-present, Thesis Committee
2008-present, Epic Clinical Advisory Team
2008-present, GS EpicCare Implementation Team
2006-present, SCM Downtime Committee
2006-present, Trauma Committee
2006-present, Strategic Telecommunications Planning Meeting

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in Professional Organizations

International

2008-present, International Pediatric Endosurgery Group

National

2011-present, The American Physiological Society
2010-American Pediatric Surgical Association
2010-present, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
2008p-present, American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Surgery
2007-present, Children’s Oncology Group
2003-present, American College of Surgeons
2003-present, American Association for the Advancement of Science
1998-present, Biomedical Engineering Society