Minimally Invasive Techniques

Our practice has a longstanding commitment to treat all surgical aspects of vascular and cardiac disease using minimally invasive methods. We are confident that our use of minimally invasive techniques produces both excellent technical results and much lower complication rates than conventional methods.

Seven years ago we introduced the off pump-beating heart surgery program for coronary artery bypass at Northern Michigan Hospital. The most recent Society of Thoracic Surgeons analysis confirms our commitment to that approach. Ninety seven per cent of coronary bypass procedures were performed without using the heart-lung machine. The morbidity and mortality rates associated with that method are better than national averages, reaffirming our expectation of better outcomes by using less invasive techniques.

Other minimally invasive methods we have introduced are:

Endoscopic removal of arterial and venous bypass conduit: An endoscope is inserted through a 1.5cm incision near the wrist or knee to remove the needed length of bypass conduit. This technique avoids complications associated with the older method in which the incision extended the full length of the extremity. The endoscopic approach produces minimal discomfort, excellent wound healing, and a very small scar.

Minimal incision approach to isolated cardiac valve disease: The aortic or mitral valve is repaired or replaced through an 8-10cm incision placed between the ribs adjacent to the sternum. The longer, sternal splitting incision is not required. The cosmetic result is very well accepted, recovery is rapid, surgical results are excellent.

Our use of percutaneous treatments for vascular diseases is expanding.
 Endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms is safer and easier to perform with current devices. We treat the majority of peripheral vascular lesions using percutaneous methods including balloons and stents. These therapies have resulted in excellent outcomes, very short hospital stays, minimal discomfort and a rapid return to full activities.