Spring 2010 - Henry Ford Health System

Aortic Disease (continued from Front Page)Endovascular repairOver the last decade, endovascularrepair has surpassed the useof traditional open surgery foraneurysms at Henry Ford Hospital.Dr. Nypaver says that advancementsin technology have led to thedevelopment of smaller stent-graftdevices, which has broadenedthe pool of candidates for theprocedure. Dr. Nypaver and his teamof five vascular surgeons performendovascular repair of complexabdominal and thoracic aorticaneurysms, and for aneurysms of theiliac arteries.“Today, 60 percent of our aneurysmcases are performed endovascularly,”says Dr. Nypaver. “Dependingon the size and location of theaneurysm, the related anatomy, andthe overall health of the patient,the endovascular approach can beeasily performed, well-tolerated andadvantageous to the patient.”During an endovascular procedure,instead of making a large incision,the surgeon makes a small incisionin the groin with a puncture of thefemoral arteries. The surgeon insertsa catheter to access the aorta andaffected arteries, and then placesa synthetic graft supported by amesh stent inside and through theaneurysm to keep it from rupturing.Henry Ford surgeons are highlyexperienced with all four types ofstents currently approved by theFood and Drug Administration.The hospital stay is shorter, typicallylasting only 2-3 days, comparedto 5-7 days for an open surgery.Because the procedure is lesstraumatic, it poses less risk and aneasier recovery for individuals whohave co-existing medical conditions.In 1996, Dr. Nypaver and the teamof vascular surgeons at Henry FordHospital were the first in Michiganto perform endovascular repair forabdominal aortic aneurysms, asHenry Ford Hospital was one of theselect institutions participating inclinical studies of this technique.Since that time, Dr. Nypaver andhis team have continued to leadthe way in the development andimplementation of the latest stentgrafting devices.Robotic-assistedvascular surgery“The benefit of coming to HenryFord Hospital is that we haveexpertise in all vascular options– open, endovascular, and roboticassistedaortic procedures,” saysvascular surgeon Judith Lin,M.D. “Patients receive the mostappropriate treatment for theircondition.”Dr. Lin is the only vascular surgeonin Michigan performing roboticassistedaortobifemoral bypass androbotic-assisted aortic aneurysmrepair.Robotic-assisted aortic surgerycombines advanced computertechnology and roboticinstrumentation that allow thesurgeon to visualize inside thebody through small skin incisions.This novel technique takes thelaparoscopic procedures one stepfurther, adding three-dimensionalvisualization and EndoWrist®technology which increases asurgeon’s dexterity and movementwithin the abdominal cavity.The benefits of robotic-assisted,minimally invasive proceduresinclude smaller amount of bloodloss, shorter hospital stay, and afaster recovery for the patient.Dr. Lin performs both minimallyinvasive options, endovascularand robotic-assisted procedures,for treatment of abdominal aorticaneurysm and aortoiliac occlusivedisease. Candidates for the procedureare determined by the extent of thelesion, location of the aortic disease,and overall medical condition of thepatient.Dr. Lin says she was attracted topracticing at Henry Ford five yearsago because of the hospital’s roboticsfacilities. She has developed HenryFord’s robotic vascular programwith the support of surgeons at thehospital’s Vattikuti Urology Institute,who have performed more roboticprostatectomies than any othersurgeons in the world. ●For more information, go tohenryford.com/heart and click on“Vascular Surgery.”Need to refer apatient?Call the Henry FordReferring Physicianoffice at1-877-434-7470 or visithenryford.com/rpoGOOD PartnerPromiseThe Henry Ford Medical Groupis committed to providingunsurpassed quality to yourpatient as well as easy accessand communication to you, thereferring physician.It is our privilege to partnerwith you in the care of yourpatient and our promise is topromptly return your patientafter treatment has beensuccessfully completed.7