NEWS
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bobbie Boyd, Director of Public Relations
& Community Outreach
Advanced Cardiac Specialists
Cell Phone: (602) 570-7069 E-mail:
bobbie.boyd@acs-im.com
ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES ALTERNATIVE TO OPEN CHEST
SURGERY FOR BYPASS PATIENTS
New Less Invasive Procedure Provides Access through a
Small Incision
Now Available for Southwestern US Patients
For Immediate
Release: June 10, 2003
Contact: Bobbie Boyd
(480) 926-6990 Cell Phone: (602) 570-7069
Mesa, Arizona (June 10, 2003) -
Patients, who have severe blockage of the arteries in their heart, have faced
coronary artery bypass graft surgery
(CABG). This is open heart surgery
where a graft is used to allow blood flow to bypass, or go around the blockage, in diseased coronary
arteries. The graft establishes a
direct conduit between the aorta and the blood vessel beyond the blockage. This ensures good flow through the blood
vessel, bypassing the site of
blockage.
The issue with this procedure is access
to the heart. The rib cage must be cut
and literally cracked open to provide the surgeon with access to the heart to
perform the procedure. This is a significantly
more invasive procedure that requires a more extensive recovery period with
more restricted activity while the rib cage mends and heals. In addition, by virtue of the nature of the
procedure, it requires the use of the human hand, which touches the delicate
artery, which can become unavoidably damaged.
Now there is a significantly less
invasive alternative. The surgeon
performs the procedure from a control console with a three-dimensional viewing
system. The surgeon is able to view the
patient’s cardiovascular region through a small tube, or endoscope, as well as
the robotic arms, themselves. The
console allows the surgeon to position three robotic arms and to precisely
maneuver endoscopic instruments, as well a variety of EndoWristTM Instruments, through a small incision that is made near the
top of the heart. The EndoWristTM Instruments are unique in that they are able to move 360
degrees, mimicking a surgeon’s own wrist movements. This technique is not available with traditional laparoscopic
surgery instruments.
Important also is the role this
technology is playing in the anticipated evolution of this process into an
entirely minimally invasive procedure.
In addition, it contributes to the spectrum of possibilities and
applications for all types of surgery.
Robert M. Siegel, M.D., Advanced Cardiac Specialists, selected patient, Richard Davich, for the first procedure in the Southwest, which was performed by Victor S. Dreicer, M.D. on June 7, 2003 at Mesa General Hospital. For further information contact Bobbie Boyd at (480) 926-6990.