Minimally Invasive Surgery
Heart
surgery. The words conjure images of a hushed surgical suite, hovering
doctors, a draped patient, an open chest and an exposed heart. However,
as imaging techniques continue to improve, more often this simply isn't
the case, notes John Marbarger, M.D., chair of the Department of Heart
and Vascular Services and the Department of Surgery at St. John's
Mercy.
"Advanced imaging
means smaller incisions, which can translate to decreased pain, shorter
recovery
times and less scarring," Dr.
Marbarger says.
Instruments and Imaging
Video-assisted surgery is one new technique available at St. John's
Mercy that doctors can use to minimize incisions and still achieve
great outcomes. Many procedures once requiring the more severe breastbone
separation
can now be done through two- to three-inch incisions at the left
and right sides of the chest. Cameras inserted into the chest cavity
feed real-time
images to an operating room television.This lets doctors see the
heart while performing surgery with instruments custom-made for video-assist
procedures.
"It's like
the heart structure is five inches from the doctor's
nose," says Dr. Marbarger. This up-close-and-personal heart
view can improve access during delicate surgeries such as mitral
valve repair, which
doctors at St. John's Mercy are helping to perfect.
Earlier
Intervention Can Improve Outcomes
Because many advanced procedures are, on the whole, less traumatic
for cardiac surgery patients, doctors are now able to correct
some common
conditions long before they do permanent damage.
"Minimally invasive approaches are improving quality of life and helping
increase longevity," says Dr. Marbarger. "Repairing
mitral valves before heart failure, the insertion of permanent
assist devices to protect those at risk for attack, even heart
replacements, we'll
be seeing important advances in these areas in the next five
years.
"With our excellent staff and state-of-the-art facilities, the St. John's
Mercy Heart and Vascular Hospital will remain at the forefront of these
developing technologies and less-traumatic surgeries.
And as we do so, we'll continue to improve comfort for
patients and their families in the new hospital setting,"
says Dr. Marbarger. |
