A groundbreaking procedure at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama is helping patients with advanced Peripheral Arterial Disease avoid amputation. The disease is the result of blocked arteries and can cut off blood flow to the legs and feet.
Minimally Invasive Procedure
The minimally invasive procedure, known as the LimFlow system, is designed for patients who have run out of traditional treatment options. Using just two small needle punctures, doctors redirect blood through a patient’s vein, delivering oxygen and nutrients to areas that have been starved of circulation.
Dr. Richard Tan, the first vascular surgeon in Montgomery to use the LimFlow system, says that just because someone tells you that you need an amputation does not necessarily mean that that’s always going to be the case. There are options out there and we’re continuously trying to expand those options.
The procedure takes about two-and-a-half hours and requires no large surgical incision—offering a less invasive option for patients who once had few choices. Avoiding an amputation also reduces the amount of time a patient will need to stay in the hospital.
Original reporting: Alabama News Network — read the source article.
