Reinventing BRAIN&HEART medicine with faster, safer and less traumatic surgeries

By Dr. Neil Fam , Schroeder Term Chair in Structural and Valve Innovation, and Dr. Gianluigi Bisleri , the Director of St. Michael’s Hospital’s Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Program

For centuries, doctors have tested techniques and tools allowing them to peer and operate inside patients, without making long incisions that come with complications and risks.

In the earliest attempts, Greek and Roman physicians used specially designed specula that harnessed ambient light. In the 1800s, doctors developed cystoscopes and made use of candlelight to view patients’ bladders and urethras. It was not until the late 20th century that doctors used fibre-optic threads to channel brighter light into the recesses of the body and digital cameras to send images back out to them. They could then look deep inside a person without opening up their body and exposing them to unnecessary risk.?

Today, minimally invasive procedures have become more and more routine. They involve less damage to the body thanks to the use of small tools, cameras and lights, inserted through several small incisions. They mean far less pain and stress, shortened hospital stays and recovery times, as well as fewer complications and hospital readmissions. Surgeon-scientists are working to make such surgeries even less invasive by further minimizing the number of tiny incisions—sometimes to a single site, or port, into the body. And they are relying increasingly on robotic surgical systems to help them carry out minimally invasive interventions.

With that, here is a look at how St. Michael’s Hospital is advancing minimally invasive procedures in Canada to redefine brain and heart care for our patients. READ HERE