St. Elizabeth Healthcare has reached a new milestone in cardiac surgery with the adoption of state-of-the-art 3D 4K endoscopic technology, ensuring the care you receive remains at the forefront of surgical innovation in the United States.
The new system was successfully used in June by the cardiac surgery team. It allows surgeons to perform complex heart procedures through small incisions with enhanced precision and safety—offering patients faster recovery, less pain and fewer complications.
“With traditional techniques, we often had to make larger incisions to see clearly through them,” says Dr. Mario Castillo-Sang, MD, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at St. Elizabeth. “Now, with 3D 4K endoscopy, we can operate through much smaller incisions, reducing pain and speeding up recovery—even for elderly patients. This is possible because high-definition endoscopy in 3D allows 5X magnification on a screen.”
Minimally Invasive, Maximally Effective
Although it’s still considered open-heart surgery, this approach is performed through incisions as small as 2.5 centimeters using a high-definition camera and endoscope to visualize the heart. The system provides a magnified, three-dimensional view of the surgical field, eliminating the need to cut through the breastbone or spread the ribs.
Endoscopic cardiac surgery “is applicable to 90% plus of all valvular and non-coronary bypass cases,” says Dr. Castillo-Sang. These include valve repairs and replacements—such as the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves—as well as atrial fibrillation, tumors and congenital defects.
Minimally invasive techniques like this have been shown to reduce the need for blood transfusions, lower post-operative pain and shorten both ICU and hospital stays. The procedure is also safe for most patients, including those with chronic conditions or those who have had previous heart surgeries.
A Better Alternative
The new 3D system offers a natural, immersive view that mimics direct vision—allowing for fluid, precise movements and shorter surgical times.
“The technology allows us to perform intricate operations more efficiently and with greater accuracy,” says Dr. Castillo-Sang. “This amounts to precision in stitching, less time of travel and adjustments of instruments and ultimately reflects in better, faster surgery. It’s a game-changer for both experienced surgeons and those learning these advanced techniques.”
St. Elizabeth was among the first hospitals in the nation to trial this system and is now one of the earliest adopters. “This brings a whole different set of benefits for the surgeon and for the patient,” says Dr. Castillo-Sang.
Leading the Way
“Our team is proud to be leading the way,” says Dr. Castillo-Sang. “But more importantly, we’re thrilled to offer our patients safer procedures, faster recoveries and better outcomes. This is technology that augments the care we provide to our patients.” Learn more about Heart Surgery at St. Elizabeth, or call (859) 301-9010 to schedule an appointment.
