Researching the
Effects of Robotics in Cardiac Surgery
January / February 2004
Penn Cardiac Care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
is the only hospital in Philadelphia performing robotic heart
surgery and one of only 12 in the nation participating in
an FDA clinical trial to determine the safety and effectiveness
of totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) surgery
via an advanced robotic surgical system. As part of that research,
Y.
Joseph Woo, MD, director of the minimally invasive and
robotic cardiac surgery program at Penn is working to expand
and refine the surgical procedures performed with advanced
robotic technology.
The FDA has approved the use of the robotic surgical system
for most procedures inside the heart. At Penn, Dr. Woo has
operated on more than 30 patients utilizing the robotic system
to repair valves, replace heart valves, close septal defects,
and assist in coronary artery bypass procedures. “We
are working hard to expand the applications of robotics
within
heart surgery.
Although, this technology was originally attempted
on a very limited set of disease processes, we now utilize
some form of minimally invasive or robotic surgery to treat
almost all types of heart disease,” says Dr. Woo. “We
are comfortable with this technology and continue to advance
the techniques of these procedures by making even smaller
incisions and performing the procedures faster.”
In the operating room, one surgeon controls the system from
a viewing console, while a second surgeon works alongside
the patient, making three tiny chest incisions for the robotic
arms and endoscope. With the high-resolution, three-dimensional
camera system, the operating surgeon has a full view of the
patient’s heart and can perform the operation with the
robotic arms. “Attached to the robotic arms are small-caliber,
multi-jointed, surgical instruments that precisely replicate
the operating surgeon’s wrist and hand movements. The
computer enhances the surgeon’s hand movements and provides
greater range of motion than humanly possible,” explains
Dr. Woo.
“With growing expertise robotically-assisted cardiac
surgery is available at the Hospital of the University of
Pennsylvania to a growing number of patients. Though not for
everyone, select patients can benefit from this innovative
minimally invasive approach,” says Michael
A. Acker, MD, chief of cardiacthoracic surgery for the
University of Pennsylvania Health System.
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Referring Physicians: To speak with a Penn physician
or refer a patient, contact PennHealth through the secure online
referral form or by calling
1-800-789-PENN
(7366). |
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