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Note: This article contains reference to Saqib Masroor, MD, MHS, FACC, who is no longer with Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin.
Less Pain, Faster Recovery
The Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Heart and Vascular Center offers the most advanced treatments and technology, including the da Vinci™ Surgical System, delivering unmatched precision for complex and delicate heart procedures. Robotically assisted heart surgery is changing the way certain heart procedures are performed.
In robotic surgery, the surgeon uses a specially designed computer console to control surgical instruments on robotic arms. The robot enhances the surgeon’s ability to perform delicate, precise surgical movements.
Medical College of Wisconsin cardiothoracic surgeon Saqib Masroor, MD, MHS, FACC – the only Milwaukee area surgeon who is fellowship trained in minimally invasive and robotic heart surgery – has performed hundreds of minimally invasive and robotically assisted heart procedures.
“We’re planning to build the most comprehensive minimally invasive and robotically assisted cardiac surgery program in Wisconsin,” Dr. Masroor said.
Minimally Invasive Heart SurgeryMinimally invasive heart surgery encompasses a variety of procedures performed through three or four small incisions. Unlike traditional (open heart) surgery, minimally invasive heart surgery eliminates the need to cut through the breast bone, resulting in many benefits for patients.
“Patients experience less traumas to the body and less pain, have a shorter hospital stay and need less transfused blood,” Dr. Masroor said. “They also have a faster recovery and can return to normal activities sooner. Success rates are comparable to surgeries performed through the more traditional, open method and, of great importance, the risk for infection is greatly reduced.”
The da Vinci™ Surgical System takes the minimally invasive approach a step further. The system gives the surgeon improved magnification, precise robotic movements and a three-dimensional view of the surgical site.
“Most heart procedures that can be done through a minimally invasive approach can be done robotically,” Dr. Masroor said. “For patients with coronary artery disease, however, using the robot depends on the number and location of arterial blockages.”
Dr. Masroor performs the following robotically assisted heart procedures:
- Mitral valve repair
- Artery bypass grafting for blocked arteries
- Repair of ASD and PFO (holes in the heart)
- Placement of leads for a pacemaker
- Combined mitral and tricuspid valve surgery
- Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm)
- Removal of tumors in the heart
Robotically Assisted Heart Surgery
The da Vinci Surgical System is composed of four components: a surgeon console, a computerized control system, two instrument “arms” and a camera.
To perform surgery, Dr. Masroor first makes three small incisions or “ports” through the ribs, on the patient’s right or left side. The surgical instruments (attached to the robotic arms) and a camera are placed through the ports. A fourth port may be created to take heart valves and sutures in or out.
Dr. Masroor sits at a computer console and views a three dimensional image of the surgical site from a camera placed inside the patient. Using the robot, he controls the movement and placement of the surgical instruments. The robot’s “arm and wrist” movements mimic those of Dr. Masroor, enhancing the precision of his natural hand and wrist movements.
Source: Froedtert Today Date: August 2008 Last Review Date: Aug. 9, 2011 Online Editor(s): Kathryn Adam |
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