Posted by John W. Gross on January 06, 2003 at 11:46:25:
In Reply to: Which Procedure? What Docs?Where Available? posted by Beverly Crane on January 06, 2003 at 07:17:03:
Beverly,
Dr. Duncan of the Texas Heart Institute told me in my meeting with him before my MAZE surgery (which he performed) that he and Dr. Cox have exchanged video copies of MAZE surgery they both had performed and had consulted on the subject of the MAZE procedure. The success rate of MAZE patients for Dr. Duncan is the same as Dr. Cox. The MAZE surgery Dr. Cox developed is not surgeon specific i.e., performed the way Dr. Cox prescribes the result should be the same. That is part of the beauty of this surgical cure for A-FIB. As you may know MAZE operations are performed all over the world.
I do not know if your lung problem would prevent you from being a candidate for open heart surgery but I would suspect so. Dr. Duncan does not do the mini or at least did not three years ago. I did not want the mini so called less invasive precedure for many of the reasons already posted by my fellow mazers. Dr. Cox developed this in an attempt to make the MAZE easier for the patient.
Dr. Duncan will not perform the MAZE surgery unless Dr. Massumi also concurs that this is best for the patient. Dr. Massumi gave me excellent care after surgery while I was in St. Lukes.
I hope this information helps you a little. If you decide to consult with Dr. Duncan I think you will be impressed with him. I know I was.
John Gross