Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Leaders in the Field of Minimally Invasive Surgery

The Lenox Hill Hospital Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery has revolutionized the field with minimally invasive techniques. Minimally invasive surgery involves making only small, 2.5 inch incisions in the chest and sometimes utilizing robotic technology to perform the procedure. Because the surgeons do not have to cut through the breast bone and open up the chest, this technique allows patient to be back on their feet just a few days after surgery.

Having performed the nations first minimally invasive coronary surgery in 1994, Dr. Valavanur Subramanian and his team in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery continue to innovate and provide leadership for this cutting edge technology. By performing both routine and complex surgeries without making large incisions into the body, our team is able to:

• Reduce pain and morbidity after surgery
• Decrease blood loss during surgery
• Decrease the number of infections
• Increase a patients mobility
• Speed recovery times

...and ultimately improve outcomes for even the most challenging cases.

The Departments team of highly skilled surgeons routinely tackles the cases that other hospitals deem too difficult. Because minimally invasive surgery is easier on the body, those who are considered high-risk can now undergo complex surgery with far better outcomes. Older people and patients having repeat procedures are excellent candidates for minimally invasive surgery.

Our Expertise

While other hospitals may occasionally employ minimally invasive techniques for certain surgeries, the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery is able to take a minimally invasive approach to all types of coronary procedures, be they routine or complex.

In the Hospital's Weisner Cardiothoracic Surgery Center our team performs:

• leading-edge minimally invasive, off-pump and robotic coronary bypass with use of multiple arterial grafts for long-term benefits
• off-pump aortic arch surgery in integration with our Endovascular surgeons
• single or multiple valve repair or replacement using autograft, homograft, pericardial and mechanical valves using minimally invasive technique when appropriate
• surgical laser revascularization
• surgical ablation
• defibrillator and pacemaker implant or replacement

The team also performs surgery for aortic aneurysm and congenital cardiovascular abnormalities in adults. The state-of-the-art Center includes a 52-bed unit for recovering cardiac surgery patients. The Weisner Centers comprehensive monitoring network closely monitors each patient's heart functions to assure a successful recuperation. Related services available to the Hospital's cardiac patients include the Leon Hess Interventional Cardiology Center, the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), and the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Center.

A Team Approach

As part of the Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute, the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery works in conjunction with Interventional and Vascular Specialist to ensure that the highest levels of expertise and talent are brought to bear on each case. All patients benefit from the collective skill and experience of an internationally recognized team of cardiac experts. It is not uncommon for 3 or 4 different surgeons to work on a case, each lending their unique talents to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

Chronic Care Guide

 Bloodless Medicine
This guide explains how surgeries can be safely performed without blood transfusions or major blood products. Learn more