[HSF] RCA osteal lesion-osteal reconstruction

[Hgrmd at aol.com]

Tom,
  Thanks for your reasoned reply.  I am carefully following all  of these 
patients.  Since I finally have developed some research  infrastructure for my 
practice, I certainly plan to submit my results for  publication in the near 
future.  For starters, I have a video and poster in  the upcoming ISMICS.  
  As for coronary revascularization, I also share your concerns.   One thing 
that has been unequivocally shown is that the LIMA to the LAD is life  saving 
and paramount.  If you screw it up, you've just shortened the  patient's life. 
 That said, our group has a small series of robotic  MIDCAB's that have all 
done quite well (they are done by one of my  associates).  In addition, I've 
been very impressed that the Leipzig MIDCAB  series is safe and reproducible.  
However, I've no doubt that a lot of  patients have been hurt by failed 
attempts at minimally invasive  revascularization.  The only surgeon I know that 
regularly does robotic  multivessel revasc is the Indian gentleman who used to be 
in Odessa, Texas and  is now at the Univ of Chicago.  I saw him do a case last 
summer in  Belgium.  Looked pretty torturous to say the least.
  The key to minimally invasive surgery is planning and  training.  Long 
before I touched a patient with my robot arm, I worked on  plenty of cadavers and 
pig hearts.  When working on new repair techniques,  I often work on a pig 
heart in a plastic torso on a Saturday morning when I'm  off. You can't just walk 
in and think I'm going to try this unless you've  thoroughly done your 
homework.  Even then, I've had some hair raising  moments and a lot of mental 
discomfort.  
 
Hal



**************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car 
listings at AOL Autos.      
(http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)