by DrCiuffo | Apr 20, 2015 | Blog, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
We’ve gone over the many benefits of minimally invasive heart surgery, including the small incision/scar, the quick recovery time, and the benefits of bloodless techniques. Along with all of these great benefits, patients can also expect to have a much shorter hospital stay with MIHS, compared to traditional open-heart surgery. In The Hospital After Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Since minimally invasive surgery does not include the same traumatic techniques used in traditional heart surgery, including the 8-inch incision in the chest, along with the breaking of the sternum and ribcage, our patients have much easier time post-surgery. Most of Dr. Ciuffo’s cardiac patients are released from the hospital within two to three days and are able to resume normal activities within two weeks. Traditional cardiac patients usually stay in the hospital from three to eight days and then struggle with a painful, long at-home recovery time (usually six weeks). During your first-day post surgery at the hospital, you will most likely feel some soreness at the incision site, but you will be awake, alert, and mobile. Walking is actually encouraged! During your second and third days at the hospital, you’ll still feel that soreness but you’ll find that walking around is much easier. You can likely be released then, barring unforeseen issues. Ready To Learn More? Are you researching minimally invasive heart surgery to find your best options? Dr. Ciuffo is a leading cardiothoracic surgeon who has been practicing these methods for over 15 years and can help find a plan for you. If you are doing initial research or if you’re considering a second opinion on your heart surgery, please give... by DrCiuffo | Apr 3, 2015 | Atrial Septal Defect Repairs, Blog, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
Sometimes, in close groups of friends and small town media outlets we hear about babies and young children with a hole in their heart. This is known as an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). What you may not realize is this is more common than you think. Every six out of 1,000 are born with an ASD. ASD causes a hole through the wall that normally separates the right side of the heart from the left. The right side of the heart receives blood from the body and pumps it into the lungs to re-oxygenate it. The left side receives that oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps in out to the rest of the body. ASD causes a portion of the oxygenated blood to flow back into the right side of the heart instead of going out to the rest of the body. The right side works harder to fix the problem, but can cause the lungs to flood creating trouble breathing. In worst case scenarios, this respiratory distress can cause malnourishment as they are not able to be fed fully, as well as other serious heart conditions. Usually, babies are born with small ASDs that close on their own as the child grows. Even for medium to large ASDs, symptoms are sometimes not obvious. Doctors can usually diagnose an atrial septal defect later in life when a heart murmur is noted during a routine checkup. Treating The Hole In The Heart Parents and patients have a few different options when it comes to treating ASD. Surgical Therapy – For severe ASD, we recommend minimally invasive atrial septal defect... by DrCiuffo | Mar 27, 2015 | Blog, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery, Recovery
One of the big questions when it comes to researching and preparing for heart surgery is “how will I recover?” Dr. Ciuffo knows that these concerns are stressful, overwhelming, and scary. One of the major benefits of minimally invasive heart surgery over traditional surgery are the improved recovery times, substantially less pain with recovery, and shorter time to normal activities. Even the sick, elderly, and frail patients can enjoy a fast and uneventful recovery. Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Recovery Without the dramatic techniques used in traditional heart surgery (i.e. 8 inch incision in chest, broken sternum/ribcage), patients can expect a much easier time post-surgery. One Day Post Surgery The morning after surgery most patients are comfortable and wide awake. The chest tubes, bladder catheters and monitoring lines are removed and our patients are allowed to stand up and sit out of bed in a chair. Affects of anesthesia are present, which may include no appetite, constipation, and bloating. A mild soreness at the incision site is normal and easily managed with pain medication. Patients are also encouraged to walk as much as they are comfortable with and to perform deep breathing exercises to clear their lungs. Two to Three Days Post Surgery During day two and three, patients are awake and comfortable. Any residual symptoms from anesthesia are no longer present. Walking is still encouraged, and patients find that it gets much easier to walk up and down the hospital corridors. Most of Dr. Ciuffo’s patients are able to be discharged home or to a rehab facility in two to three days after surgery. Two Weeks Post Surgery Once our patients are home or at their... by DrCiuffo | Feb 27, 2015 | Blog, Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
There are many types of minimally invasive heart surgeries. Dr. Ciuffo performs a wide range of procedures to meet the needs of most cardiovascular patients. Dr. Ciuffo works with you or your loved ones to help decide what procedure is best for you, your health, and your overall quality of life. Minimally invasive heart surgeries are performed through a small incision between the ribs, and the breast bone is not split. This results in quicker recovery times, virtually no scar, and less pain. Types of MIHS There are many different procedures that Dr. Ciuffo performs based on a patient’s cardiac needs. Click through the following to find in-depth information and pictures straight from Dr. Ciuffo. The most common surgeries performed by Dr. Ciuffo are: Bicuspid Aortic Valve Surgery Heart Valve Surgery (Biological or Mechanical) Bloodless Heart Surgery Hybrid Valve Surgery Inoperable Aortic Aneurysm Repair Inoperable Aortic Valve Repair/Replacement Mitral Valve Repair/Replacement Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implant (YAVI) Atrial Myxoma Surgery Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair The minimally invasive option is not available for all cardiac patients, but there are great advantages and less risk associated with it. Advantages of MIHS are typically: Less Blood Loss Lower Infection Risk Less Pain/Trauma Faster Recovery Time Shorter Hospital Stay Virtually Scarless Schedule A Consultation If you or a loved one would like to learn more about our minimally invasive heart surgeries and your options, contact us today! Call our office at (330) 588-4676 or contact us... by DrCiuffo | Feb 2, 2015 | Benefits of Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery, Blog, Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
As we’ve continued to describe throughout our site and on our blogs, there are many benefits to getting minimally invasive heart surgery over traditional heart surgery. The main points are with minimally invasive heart surgery, you will have a shorter recovery time, small scarring, better overall health, and some different options to better suit certain preferences (such as bloodless options for Jehovah’s Witnesses). Benefits of Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Recovery For Dr. Ciuffo’s patients, most are released from the hospital within 48 to 72 hours. Once patients return home, recovery usually lasts for two weeks before patients can return to normal activities. During the two weeks, physical activity is recommended. With traditional surgery, patients can be recovering for six to eight weeks, while their bones heal and body recovers from the much more invasive traditional heart surgery techniques. Minimal “Scarless” Cosmetic The cosmetic result of MIHS is the biggest reasons people choose minimally invasive. The incision is only about two inches long and is typically hidden under the fold of the breast. If the incision is not hidden under the breast it can be hidden under clothing very easily. With traditional heart surgery, patients will have a six to eight inch scar down the center of their chest, which is almost impossible to hide. Overall Health Overall, minimally invasive patients have a much higher overall health benefits including: survival benefits in higher risk groups, better cosmesis, less bleeding and less transfusion requirements, less wound infections and complications, less postoperative pain, faster return to normal activity, and a shorter hospital stay, all which improve the immune system’s chance of overall healing. Bloodless Option For... by DrCiuffo | Jan 21, 2015 | Blog, Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery, Scarless Heart Surgery
Minimally invasive heart surgery has many benefits, including shorter recovery time and improved overall health, but the most cited result is typically the cosmetic one. Minimally invasive heart surgery is sometimes called “scarless heart surgery,” because of the nearly invisible scar that results from it. Cardiac patients now have more than one choice when it comes to the treatment for heart conditions and their cosmetic results. Heart Surgery Scar Picture Comparison Traditional (Sternotomy) Scarring Many people are familiar with traditional heart surgery scar. The long 8″ to 12″ incision leaves an unsightly scar, as shown in the graphic to the right. The large scar can be hard to hide with a lower cut or flimsy shirts. In some cases, the gash is the source of confidence issues and it becomes an overall nuisance. If you are researching heart surgery options, and do not want to have a ghastly mark on your body as the one shown, continue reading. Minimally Invasive (Scarless) Scarring The “scarless” heart surgery cosmetic result is shown on the left. Patients can expect a 2″ incision along the skin crease underneath the breast. When fully healed, the scar will turn into a thin white line that is barely visible. This tiny line can be hidden easily under low cut shirts, evening gowns, and the flimsiest of apparel. For female cardiac patients, the scar is usually hidden under the fold of the breast. This is very similar to the technique used by cosmetic surgeons for breast implant placement. See one of our female patients below. The first picture is a good demonstration of the superior cosmetic results we...
