Jefferson Health

Cardiothoracic surgeons at Jefferson are experienced in performing some of the most challenging and complex heart surgeries, including the removal of aneurysms, valve replacements and various kinds of myocardial vascularization. We are also pioneering the use of minimally invasive techniques as an alternative to open-heart surgery.

A cardiothoracic surgeon specializes in the treatment of heart disease and lung disease. Ongoing clinical trials place Jefferson among the first hospitals in the U.S. to treat patients with the latest technologies and techniques.

At Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, our surgeons have been performing – and pioneering – minimally invasive procedures for more than a decade. Jefferson offers a range of minimally invasive surgical procedures few other hospitals in the region can match. These pioneering techniques use tiny incisions and miniature robotic instruments for everything from appendectomies and liver and pancreas resections to operations repairing heart valves – allowing many patients to leave surgery with only Band-Aids® for dressings. We continually invest in the latest tools, technologies and training. And our surgeons and clinical staff are among the most experienced at minimally invasive surgeries in Philadelphia, South Jersey and Delaware.

Because surgeons are making smaller incisions to access the surgical site and can be more precise with their tools, the benefits of minimally invasive surgery can include:

•     Shorter hospital stay (or none at all)

•     Less trauma during surgery

•     Less blood loss

•     Smaller incisions that result in less scarring and less pain

•     Reduced risk of infection

•     Quicker recovery times

•     Fewer complications after surgery

Minimally Invasive Surgeries offered in cardiology:

•     Ablation of Cardiac Arrhythmias

•     Balloon Angioplasty

•     Brachytherapy

•     Coronary Artery Stenting

•     Extraction of Pacemaker or ICD Leads

•     Mitral Valve Repair

•     Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

•     PFO Closure

Temple Health

Patients who require especially complex surgical operations, including dual-organ transplants, benefit from Temple’s cutting-edge facilities and ability to bring together skilled specialists in a wide range of fields. We are one of the region’s most experienced centers in heart surgery and transplantation, as well as minimally invasive heart procedures. Hybrid operating rooms even allow us to combine open, minimally invasive, and catheter-based procedures, reducing the need for multiple surgeries.

Minimally invasive surgical interventions use specialized equipment that allows for smaller incisions compared to regular surgery. This often means less blood loss, less pain and less scarring; it may also lead to a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery, with reduced chance of infection. Such procedures are especially helpful for patients whose poor health makes traditional open heart surgery—which involves dividing the sternum (breastbone)—risky. Temple offers different minimally invasive approaches depending on the procedure being performed and the patient’s preference and medical condition. Below are a few of the available options:

• Mini-sternotomy means cutting open only a portion of the breastbone (4 to 5 inches), then inserting specialized tools and computer equipment to see inside and perform the needed repairs to the heart.

• Mini-thoracotomy involves making a single cut (usually 3 to 4 inches) in between two ribs, through which surgical instruments are guided. Unlike a mini-sternotomy, no bones are cut in this procedure.

•  Endovascular—also known as percutaneous—procedures are considered “non-surgical” and are done through small puncture sites, often via catheter—a thin tube inserted through the skin and guided through the blood vessels to the site of the problem. Endovascular interventions are sometimes an option for conducting heart procedures (such as valve repair) on patients who are not candidates for surgical approaches. Learn more about percutaneous interventions offered at Temple.

Main Line Health

At the core of our cardiac surgery program are internationally renowned specialists who are leaders in this field. Our expertise spans the full spectrum of cardiac surgery and includes groundbreaking applications of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is associated with increased survival rates as well as less postoperative pain, reduced risk of stroke, avoidance of blood products, quicker return to daily activities, and improved quality of life.

Why choose Lankenau Heart Institute for cardiac surgery:

We continue the tradition of excellence, innovation and research in cardiac surgical care earned over the past 50 years by Lankenau Medical Center, our namesake, which is ranked fifth in the state of Pennsylvania and second in the Philadelphia region for overall heart surgery volume.

We also offer advanced cardiac surgery care at Paoli Hospital where patients have convenient access to expert heart surgeons, leading-edge treatments and clinical trials in a world-class facility that includes our state-of-the-art Pavilion and trauma center.