Feb 16 2011
Dr. Joseph Boyer of Florida Hospital has performed Florida’s first-ever robot-assisted cardiac procedure. The robotic surgery adopts minimally invasive approach and it enables patients to resume their normal life quickly than the conventional open heart surgery.
The patient suffered from coronary heart problem and required repositioning of the artery to the heart to increase the supply of blood to his heart. Open heart surgery involves the separation of the ribcage and controlling the functioning of the lungs and heart by means of a heart and lung bypass equipment. But the patient preferred robot-assisted surgery to the conventional surgery.
During the robotic surgery, four small incisions were made on the patient’s chest, where the robots arms were included. The robot was controlled by the surgeon without disturbing the functionality of lungs and heart. The patient was discharged after four days and his normal activities resumed in two weeks.
At present, the Florida Hospital uses the da Vinci robot to perform urology, gynecology, bariatric, thoracic and cardiology procedures. Robotic cardiac surgery is a major breakthrough since it is a complex procedure.
Source: http://www.floridahospital.com