OGDEN -- Ogden Regional Medical Center is the first Top of Utah hospital to perform cardiothoracic surgery with a sophisticated robot called da Vinci.
The robotic surgery, an alternative to traditional open heart surgery, is used for mitral valve repair, coronary artery bypass grafting and atrial septal defect, among other procedures. The minimally invasive surgery uses smaller incisions without having to crack the chest open and cut through bone.
The results include shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, significantly less pain and fewer complications, said Dr. Joseph Graham, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Ogden Regional Medical Center and the first in Utah to use the system for heart repairs.
During the procedure, the surgeon sits at a console several feet away from the patient, Graham said. From there he operates the robot's tiny fingers, which can move comfortably around the heart. A magnified, three-dimensional image gives the surgeon an extremely clear picture inside the patient.
"We lay the patient on their side and go in through the side, using tiny incisions," Graham said. "This allows us to get a better look at things. It's much easier to see what's wrong. The camera's magnification is 10 times that of other cameras that are used in the operating room."
Graham and his team at the hospital trained for more than 1,000 hours before performing their first procedure a little over a year ago. A cardiothoracic surgeon from Saint Joseph Hospital in Atlanta who helped teach the procedure came out to Ogden to assist in the first four surgeries. So far, Graham has operated on 22 patients with the robot.
Melissa Papaj, a 30-year-old Mountain Green resident, had the procedure performed 10 weeks ago after discovering she had a hole in her heart.
"I've had migraine headaches since I was a little girl. Sometimes I would have them every day for weeks on end. I never thought the cause might be a hole in my heart," she said.
After having minor surgery a little more than a year ago, however, Papaj began feeling exhausted. Her migraines were severe and frequent, and she even began passing out on the job.
"I'm a wedding photographer, and I passed out at two weddings last year," she said. "I usually run four miles and couldn't even walk up the stairs to get my laundry. It was really interfering with my daily life."
After visiting several doctors and specialists, Papaj's husband, Matt, told her he thought she might have a hole in her heart. A test confirmed his assumption and she was sent to Graham for surgery.
"I feel great. I haven't had a migraine in 10 weeks. Not one. I feel like I can think clearly. I am back to running and taking care of my two children," she said. "Every day I thank God and Dr. Graham for this procedure."
Brent Burnett, 58, of South Ogden, said he was suddenly exhausted just sitting in a chair. The retired tax investigator would find himself completely out of breath doing nothing at all.
"I found out that I had a mitral valve defect that was causing the symptoms," he said. "I have osteoarthritis, so this was the best option for me. I don't think I could have done the other type of surgery."
Burnett said today he's able to get through his day without having to come home and take a nap during his lunch hour.
"I'm able to carry on with my day now," he said. "I'm really thankful for this type of surgery."
Graham said just about anyone is a good candidate for the surgery, with the exception of those with bad lungs.
According to MountainStar Healthcare, hospital costs for robotic surgery are significantly higher than traditional surgery. However, the cost to the patient is the same, whether the surgery is performed via the traditional method or through the da Vinci approach.
The robot also is used to perform gynecological and urological procedures. Two other MountainStar hospitals in Utah, St. Mark's and Timpanogos, have the robot.
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