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The latest technique in minimally invasive heart surgery, using special instruments and sometimes thoracoscope, is on offer at Global Hospitals at Lakdi-ka-pul. Speaking to mediapersons here today, Dr K Ravindranath, chairman of Global Hospitals, said it was the only one to perform such surgery in South India.
“Minimally invasive surgery” means significantly less pain, fewer side-effects, a shorter recovery period, and a faster return to normal activities than traditional surgery. We introduced the technology six months ago and have performed as many as 50 surgeries successfully, he added.
Dr AGK Gokhale, senior consultant, cardiothoracic, who performed the surgeries said that of the 50 cases, 30 related to CABG surgery, 14 were cases of mitral replacement and three of aortic valve replacement and three cases of ASD closure (birth defect in which there is a hole between the two upper chambers of the heart).
He explained that minimally invasive surgery involved the use of tiny tools to make small incisions (cuts) for diagnosis and repair. Some of these tools were smaller than the tip of a pencil and some incisions only as thick as a pencil. After most of these surgeries, patients can go home in 3-4 days.It took 3 to 4 hours to perform the surgery
In most cases, the surgeon uses a tiny telescope-like instrument (thoracoscope) connected to a small video camera or a light source that lets the doctor see inside the body. The images are captured on video monitors in the operating room. The surgeon does the repairs by passing tiny surgical instruments through small incisions.
Some patients who have availed themselves of the procedure spoke of how they were carrying on with their lives after surgery.
Global Cardiology department head Dr V Surya Prakash, Dr Raghvendra Rao, Dr M Subhrahmanyam and Dr Amarendra Singh were among those present.