New procedure for congenital heart defects in children
A new minimally invasive surgical technique used to treat congenital heart defects (CHDs) in children at Sheba Medical Center in Israel has a 99 per cent healing rate and 100 per cent aesthetic satisfaction. The technique was developed by Dr David Mishaly, Director of the Pediatric and Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Sheba Medical Center, who is the only doctor in the world performing this type of surgery.
CHD is a defect found in the structure of the heart that can be detected at birth. The cause is often unknown, but could be genetic, environmental or a combination of the two. Symptoms in newborns include rapid breathing, cyanosis (bluish tint to the skin, lips and fingernails), fatigue and poor blood circulation.
Most conventional treatments involve invasive surgical procedures, whereas Sheba Medical Center has successfully implemented Dr Mishaly’s minimally invasive surgical technique. The procedure is performed via a 4 cm incision under the patient’s right breast, which leads to minimal scarring as the child matures. The recovery process is much simpler, the aesthetic result is more appealing and overall medical outcomes are not compromised.
The Center said that its philosophy is to enable every infant and child to take advantage of its knowledge and expertise in order to receive the best surgical treatment, regardless of cost or nationality.