He began performing robotic surgery in 2008 and has centered his career around improving the patient experience.  Utilizing minimally invasive techniques, including robotics, he provides thoracic surgical patients the fastest recovery possible and enables the most comfortable recuperation.

His areas of interest include all aspects of thoracic oncology (lung cancer, sarcomas, mediastinal malignancies, chest wall tumors, and esophageal cancer), as well as benign diseases, including achalasia, hiatal hernias, myasthenia gravis and hyperhidrosis.  He also specializes in complex airway pathology including tracheal stenosis and central airway obstruction and utilizes ION® robotic navigation bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound for diagnostic & therapeutic interventions.

Dr. Pearlstein works closely with Intuitive Surgical, Inc., the manufacturer of da Vinci® and has developed a website dedicated toward physician and patient education: www.roboticthoracic.surgery.  He has served as co-investigator on several peer-reviewed research projects, and given multiple professional lectures, workshops and presentations.  At Hoag Dr. Pearlstein hosts a mentorship site for robotic thoracic surgery, teaching surgeons from around the United States who wish to incorporate this technology into their practices.

Dr. Pearlstein completed his medical schooling at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and fellowships at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles with Dr. Robert J. McKenna.

Dr. Pearlstein and his wife live with their three children in Irvine, California.