THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano is the first cardiovascular specialty hospital in North Texas to specialize in the minimally invasive da Vinci® Surgical System for cardiovascular and thoracic procedures – a treatment option that pairs a surgeon’s skills with advanced robotic technology.
“We continue to be a leader in cardiovascular surgery,” says Mark Valentine, president at THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano. “Offering robotic-assisted surgery treatment to our guests is just part of the evolution of our cardiovascular and thoracic surgery program. THE HEART HOSPITAL is focused on taking care of our guests and their path to healing, both of which continue to be the driving force behind implementing advanced technology like robotics.”
The robotic-assisted surgery system integrates 3-D, high-definition (10X magnification) endoscopy and four robotic arms that wield cameras and complex surgical equipment into the surgical field, all controlled from a nearby console by a trained surgeon on the medical staff at THE HEART HOSPITAL. The surgeon’s fingers grasp the master controls below the display, with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient. Utilizing this technology, allows the surgeon to perform delicate and complex procedures around the heart and lungs with enhanced precision, vision and dexterity.
When performing open cardiothoracic surgeries, a surgeon would make a large incision through the patient’s breastbone or spreading the ribs to access the chest cavity. In minimally invasive surgeries, small incisions are made between the ribs to perform coronary bypass or make valve repairs to the heart or remove the esophagus or lung by using thoracoscopy, or insertion of miniature cameras. With the robotic surgical system, only three small ports are placed in the side of the patient’s chest, each no more than a 1-cm in diameter, thus allowing surgeons to perform effective, less invasive procedure for even the most complex cardiac and thoracic surgeries.
According to Cardiothoracic Surgeon Kim Jett, M.D., on the medical staff at THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano, the positive impact that robotic-assisted surgery has on the recovery of the patient is one of the main reasons this advanced technology was added.
“By using the robotic-assisted surgical system, we can significantly reduce the trauma to the body that is associated with open chest cardiac procedures,” says Dr. Jett. “Having this technology allows surgeons to be more accurate and less invasive, all to the benefit of the patient. It’s truly a win-win.”
The potential benefits for patients undergoing robotic-assisted cardiovascular and thoracic surgery include decreased blood loss during surgery, shortened length of hospital stay, reduced risk of infection, less pain and scarring, and faster recovery thus, returning patients to normal activities sooner.
Some of the benefits experienced by surgeons using the technology over traditional approaches are greater surgical precision, increased range of motion, improved agility, enhanced visualization and improved access to the surgical site.
Cardiovascular and thoracic procedures that can be performed with the robotic surgical system at the hospital include coronary artery bypass grafting, heart valve repair and all thoracic surgical procedures.
For Robert L. Smith, II, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon on the medical staff at THE HEART HOSPITAL, having the advanced capabilities of a robotic-assisted surgical system is a leap forward in minimally invasive surgery. “Specializing in robotic-assisted cardiovascular and thoracic procedures allows us to enhance our technique in performing more complex cardiovascular procedures including mitral valve repair surgery,” says Dr. Smith. The first robotic-assisted mitral valve repair surgery is expected to be performed early next year.
THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano performed its first robotic-assisted thoracic surgery on November 11, 2011.
About THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano
THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano is recognized as the No. 1 Cardiovascular Specialty Hospital in the country based on cardiac surgery volume and is the first and only freestanding, full-service hospital in this region dedicated solely to heart and vascular health care. Committed to providing safe, quality, compassionate care and five-star service, the 116-bed hospital was created through a partnership between Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano and cardiovascular physicians and surgeons practicing in North Texas.
The hospital has received numerous awards and recognition since its January 2007 opening, including three-time Press Ganey Summit Award® winner for Inpatient and Emergency Department satisfaction, The Joint Commission’s Top Performer in Key Quality Measures, Accredited Chest Pain Center with PCI by the Society of Chest Pain Centers, The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Heart Failure, and The Joint Commission’s Certification for Ventricular Assist Device. Also, the hospital is one of a select group of 382 healthcare organizations out of 6,000 achieving Magnet® recognition. THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano is only the 26th hospital in Texas to be granted Magnet® Recognition. The facility, located off of the George Bush Turnpike and Preston Road, is currently undergoing a multi-phase hospital expansion due to significant demand for its services. The hospital's Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Care opened its doors in Pavilion II on the Baylor Plano Health Care Campus. The center offers advanced imaging services and multiple heart disease management centers. For more information about the services offered at THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano, please call 1.800.4BAYLOR or visit TheHeartHospitalBaylor.com.
Notice Regarding Physician Ownership: THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano is a hospital in which physicians have an ownership or investment interest. The list of the physician owners or investors is available to upon request. Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers,THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano or Baylor Health Care System.
CONTACT: Leanne Pettit
Telephone: 469.814.3524
E-mail: leanne.pettit@baylorhealth.edu
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform — MyBSWHealth. Through 52 hospitals and more than 1,300 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com
