[HSF] Robotic CABG

[DukeB60 at aol.com]

I attempted to do the robotic CABG and have harvested hundreds of IMAs but  
the process of actually doing a reliable bypass was so hard I abandoned the  
idea.  I have been using the Cardica C-Port device hoping maybe it will  make a 
reliable distal feasible but even that has a long ways to go before a  port 
CAB becomes a reality.  The only person I have seen at least do a  truly robotic 
Lima to the Lad is Schrvistiva in Odessa, Texas.  While it  seems so 
appealing it is almost technically impossible.  The robot is very  awkward, clumsy and 
imprecise for coronary work.  I have pretty much  abandoned robotic mitrals 
as well since the degree of difficulty is so much  greater than a simple little 
mini-thoracotomy and the difference in pain  etc. is negligible.  The only 
difference is the glitz of saying  you are using the robot.
 
                                                                              
                                              Ed  
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