News

Lake Macquarie in a regional first

Oct 02, 2013

In August, Lake Macquarie Private Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr Peng Seah, assisted by Associate Professor Duncan Thomson, performed the first Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair (MIMVR) operation in regional NSW.

The surgery, involving mitral valve repair via thoracotomy (an incision into the pleural space of the chest), is less invasive than traditional surgery to repair the mitral valve.

Theatre staff at LMPH received training in the procedure at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth. Scrub nurses Sharon Scotman and Pat Shnier assisted in these operations, as did Lake Macquarie perfusionist, Ray Swart.

MIMVR enables patients to return home more quickly and return to their work and daily activities in a much shorter time frame as well.

Patients Barry Smith and Robert Young were the first to benefit from the introduction of this surgical technique to Newcastle.

Mr Smith said that he was happy to wait for Dr Seah to introduce the new technique as he didn't want to go through more invasive surgery.

He also said that he gave 100 percent marks to the nursing staff and atmosphere at Lake Macquarie Private.

"The hospital has a great reputation and it was an absolute pleasure to be cared for there," Mr Smith said.

Mr Young was also praiseworthy of the new surgical procedure, stating that there was "little pain and it was quick and easy".

He was very happy that he could drive again in a week.