JH Achieves Another Heart Care First

Surgeons at Jewish Hospital are once again on the forefront of innovation in the field of heart care. The hospital is the only one in the region using the da Vinci® Surgical System for minimally invasive surgical procedures to treat common cardiothoracic conditions such as arrhythmias, heart failure and coronary heart disease.

The da Vinci is a robotically-assisted surgical system that uses small incisions to introduce miniaturized instruments and a high-definition camera that enables surgeons to view magnified images of the surgical site. At the same time, robotic and computer technologies translate the surgeon’s hand movements into precise micro-movements of the da Vinci instruments.

At Jewish Hospital, the da Vinci robot is also used for urology, gynecology and bariatric surgeries. da Vinci heart procedures are the most recent to develop because of the complex nature of these surgeries. The robot allows surgeons to perform incredibly precise surgical procedures, such as coronary bypass, with a dime-sized incision.”

Da Vinci surgery is an effective, least invasive treatment option for some cardiothoracic procedures. Potential benefits of da Vinci cardiothoracic surgery include: reduced risk of infection; less blood loss and need for blood transfusions; shorter hospital stay; less pain and scarring and faster recovery and return to normal activities.

In addition, some studies have indicated that minimally invasive surgery can help increase survival after surgery, which allows treatment for patients who may not normally be considered candidates for surgery because they are not strong enough to undergo a traditional open-heart procedure.

For more information about da Vinci cardiothoracic surgery at Jewish Hospital, visit www.jhsmh.org or call 502-583-8383.

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