da Vinci® Cardiothoracic Surgery
Facing traditional cardiac surgery to treat disorders of the heart, lungs and chest can be a frightening experience. Learning as much as possible about your surgical options, including minimally invasive alternatives to traditional open surgery, may ease some of your concerns.
While surgery is generally the most effective way to treat disorders of the heart, lungs and esophagus, traditional open surgery has a number of inherent drawbacks caused primarily by making a large incision, splitting of the breastbone and spreading the ribs to access the thoracic space. In addition to an 8- to 10-inch scar down the center of your chest, splitting the breastbone leads to a lengthy recovery time of eight to twelve weeks as well as a prolonged delay before you will return to normal daily activities.
Fortunately, less invasive options are increasingly available for patients facing cardiothoracic surgery. Enter the da Vinci® Surgical System, providing surgeons and patients with what may be the most effective, least invasive treatment alternative for even the most complex cardiothoracic procedures. Among the benefits of da Vinci cardiothoracic surgery are a reduced risk of infection, less blood loss and need for blood transfusions, shorter hospital stay, less pain and scarring, faster recovery and a quicker return to normal activities. Additionally, surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System offers the potential for a better clinical outcome.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Visit Joseph Greenlee, III, MD to learn more about our da Vinci cardiothoracic surgeon.
Dr. Joseph Greenlee III, a surgeon with Parkview Physicians Group-Cardiovascular Surgery, discusses da Vinci Robotic Surgery advantages for patients who need to undergo cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery.