Posted on 01/27/2011 5:55:27 AM PST by Utah Binger
OGDEN -- Ogden Regional Medical Center is the first Top of Utah hospital to perform cardiothoracic surgery with a sophisticated robot called da Vinci.
The robotic surgery, an alternative to traditional open heart surgery, is used for mitral valve repair, coronary artery bypass grafting and atrial septal defect, among other procedures. The minimally invasive surgery uses smaller incisions without having to crack the chest open and cut through bone.
The results include shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, significantly less pain and fewer complications, said Dr. Joseph Graham, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Ogden Regional Medical Center and the first in Utah to use the system for heart repairs.
During the procedure, the surgeon sits at a console several feet away from the patient, Graham said. From there he operates the robot's tiny fingers, which can move comfortably around the heart. A magnified, three-dimensional image gives the surgeon an extremely clear picture inside the patient.
"We lay the patient on their side and go in through the side, using tiny incisions," Graham said. "This allows us to get a better look at things. It's much easier to see what's wrong. The camera's magnification is 10 times that of other cameras that are used in the operating room."
(Excerpt) Read more at standard.net ...
Point is, under Obamacare will we continue to be able to get this treatment?
Medical News Ping.
A great device.
I’ve already undergone two triple coronary artery bypass grafts, a quarter century apart. If I have to have another, I guess I’d like this new one. During my last one in Jan 08, one of the vessels from the one in May 83 had adhered to the sternum, and when the surgeon cracked it, Kablooey, blood all over the place. They had to come up with a Plan B on the fly. Not sure to this day how they did it, but I was in a chemically-induced coma for four days; I was in hospital and rehab for a month, then home rehab and supervised rehab in a hospital facility. I was cleared in May 08. I’m back to walking an hour a day, but I’m afraid my 100% mojo is gone forever. Deo Gratias.
Wow! I hope I don’t have to go through this again.
I guess when you consider the alternative.....
I do, several times a day.
Hey...These just might be the droids we’ve been looking for...
We have one at our hospital - nice stuff!
Mighty glad it worked for you!
That is amazing UB! I’m grateful for your health.
Also surprised - up here in the Northern part of the state it’s McKayDee that I think of when I think of the newest technology.
Two years ago this month I had that quadruple in SLC at the IHC LDS Hospital. A Mormon bishop named John Doty did the procedure. He was recommended by wife’s cousin from San Francisco and one of our foundation board members who performed the pathology at the first heart transplant at Stanford University. Anyway, I was the first one they used that procedure on at that hospital.
Dear colorcountry came to represent the FReeper community with a fine bottle of wine. I know she wanted to see if anybody would catch her at the door. I think God watches over all of us even when we’re in a Mormon facility.
And yes, I’m a very lucky guy.
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