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Miami Minimally Invasive Valves
Joseph Lamelas, MD
Dedicated to the Advancement of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
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Posts tagged as myxoma

Over the years I have modified my technique for inserting the post for the atrial lift system.  Believe it or not,  patients were complaining about pain from this insertion site more than from the mini thoracotomy incision.

In the past I was making a small incision in the chest where I wanted to insert the post and thereafter passed a tonsil clamp from the incision and into the chest. I would then take a red rubber catheter , place it through the thoracotomy incision and pull it out through the small incision.  I would then use the red rubber catheter to guide the post back into the chest and later attach it to the blade.  I think that maybe the insertion of the clamp was just too traumatic.

Please view this short video to see the new technique that I strongly recommend.  I have provided the link below. (When you view it,  click on settings, which is the little pin wheel on the lower bar, third from the right.  This is the settings button. Click Quality and the select 720 HP. The resolution will be better)

If anyone has any suggestions or a better way, I would appreciate any comments.

 

I am constantly trying to improve my game, as we all should!  Having said that, I am always looking at ways to simplify my method of accessing the valves and performing more complex procedures.

I have enclosed a picture of a mini MVR that I performed in 2004.  Now, almost 10 years later, one can see that the incision has moved more lateral and superior.  This has allowed me to have a more direct line vision of the mitral valve.  I can truly say that I have a much more anatomic view of the valve despite it being further away.  Hence, the ability to perform every single complex repair or replacement in the book.DSCN0751 DSCN0755 DSCN0764 DSCN0769

I know that we are all busy in our daily work and family lives , but please take the time to answer a few questions.
Everyone who has subscribed to the blog has an interest in minimally invasive surgery.
To those that don’t accept it, it is disruptive. To those that embrace it, realize that the future is minimally invasive surgery.

1. How can we disseminate the word to the public?
2. How can we better train surgeons?
3. Why is adoption slow?
4. How can we facilitate the operation? (Different techniques or instruments)
5.  Should these techniques be offered to all surgeons? (Recently graduated or experienced surgeons)

Our patients have benefited and there is a real benefit. Don’t let the skeptics and antagonists cloud our vision of the future. Remember, nothing comes easily, but those who change the current philosophies in cardiac surgery are those who contribute to its advancement.

Please respond directly through the blog or my personal email (jlamelasmd@aol.com)

I value EVERYONE’S response. They will be kept anonymous unless you chose otherwise.

I have gone away from using a diaphragm suture to facilitate exposure on my mini MVR’s.  I not only think that it has the potential to add complexity to the procedure, but can also be dangerous.  This suture can cause liver injury, sub-capsular hematoma of the liver, as well as bleeding from the abundant vascular network on the tendinous portion of the diaphragm.

I utilize 3 pericardial sutures on the inferior aspect of the pericardium.  I initiate my pericardiotomy approximately 2-3 cm above the phrenic nerve (BTW, I think that all of those surgeons out there that are skeptics or antagonists, overplay the incidence of phrenic nerve injury causing diaphragmatic palsy – I REALLY DON’T SEE IT, IN MORE THAN 250 MINI- MITRAL VALVE OPERATIONS THAT I PERFORM YEARLY!). I extend the pericardiotomy inferiorly towards the diaphragm. Once I am 4-5 cm from the diaphragm, I now continue the pericardiotomy towards the left of the patient. I will place one retraction suture at this angle, and one on either side of this as well.  If I need additional retraction, I will place more pericardial sutures on the pericardium over the diaphragm. These sutures are then pulled through my utility port (chest tube incision) and retracted with the aid of a hemostat.

I have enclosed pictures of my new approach to make this clear.

DSCN9755 DSCN9758 DSCN9761 DSCN9764 DSCN9773 DSCN9779 DSCN9808

http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/760718?t=1

I came across this interview that Dr. Michael Moront and I participated in during an STS meeting 2 years ago in Ft. Lauderdale.

Despite being 2 years old, the concepts still hold true.

Check it out !!!