First Patient in Mississippi Successfully Treated for Mitral Valve Disease with Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgical Technique at Baptist Medical Center

Contact: Robby Channell, 601-968-5135 rchannell@mbhs.org

William J. Harris III, MD, uses latest technique to do heart surgery through small incision between the ribs, eliminating the large chest opening incision usually associated with heart surgery.

Jackson, Miss. – October 19, 2005 – Baptist Health Systems announced today that William J. Harris, III, MD has successfully repaired a patient’s mitral valve using an advanced minimally invasive technique that eliminates the large breastbone incision that is often referred to as “cracking the chest”. Baptist Medical Center is the first hospital in Mississippi to offer this advanced technique.

“This new technique offers patients several benefits,” Dr. Harris stated. “Most patients experience a more rapid recovery and return to full activity. Additionally, there is a cosmetic benefit because the large scar in the center of the chest is replaced by a small scar under the breast.”

Patients undergoing surgery with this technique often return to full activity within one to two weeks versus traditional surgery that can sometimes require months for regaining full activity.

The technique requires special equipment and instruments to access the heart through the small incision between the ribs.

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