| We've come a long way from the days when the first | | | | that allows this attention to detail. Being on the leading |
| open heart surgery operation took place in terms of | | | | edge is not always the easy route to take. |
| cardiac rehabilitation programs. There may be a | | | | Many places are limited by the cost, many are limited |
| number of significant reasons for this progress including | | | | by ego or the fear to be the leader and some take |
| progress in the area of the surgery itself. One | | | | the bull by the horns and step up to the task of figuring |
| significant improvement is that of using robotic heart | | | | it out and getting it right. This type of leadership is |
| surgery and the impact that has on the recovery of | | | | common at Riverside and it bespeaks of the risks |
| the patient. The da Vinci surgical robot is being used | | | | allowed and encouraged to help patients get in and get |
| quite regularly by skilled surgeons in the Chicago area. | | | | out with the least amount of trauma and injury. That is |
| The procedures are becoming more comfortable for | | | | what doctors are and should be about. Do no harm. It |
| the heart patients and thus an easier recovery. By | | | | is a long road to get people to understand that |
| using robotic-assisted surgical technique and allowing | | | | technology is a great assistant. For those who have |
| minimally invasive and extremely exacting surgical | | | | been on the long road to being a trained surgeon it is |
| techniques, the patient has less trauma to their body, | | | | hard to imagine wanting to take the time and effort to |
| there is less pain and scarring which leads to faster | | | | learn a new skill and become proficient at using a new |
| healing and a reduction in the risk of infection. There is | | | | tool. |
| also the possibility of less blood loss during the surgery | | | | In the United States and Canada it typically takes six |
| so the body is stronger coming out of the operation. | | | | to nine years as a resident to become a fully qualified |
| The use of robots in cardiothoracic surgery throughout | | | | cardiothoracic surgeon. This of course is after medical |
| the country may be on the increase but out of all of | | | | school and after undergraduate school. The dedication |
| the hospitals, the Chicago area has perhaps some of | | | | to their craft is undeniably astounding. The benefit to all |
| the most prominent hospitals on the leading edge | | | | this comes out when the patient now leaves the |
| technology. The reasons for this commitment can be | | | | hospital after a few days instead of a few weeks. |
| attributed to a number of reasons, but the number one | | | | Not only are we able to do more with the heart and |
| reason is the patients. The focus on taking care of | | | | surgery, we are able to be more accurate and less |
| patients and on the path to healing is a driving force | | | | invasive, all to the benefit of the patient. |