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Thoracic Walker

Reviewed By: Laura Martin,

SOURCES: 2009 WebMD Medical Reference from Medstar Television. Avi Lebenthal, MD, Thoracic Surgeon, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia.

© 1999-2011 Medstar Television

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Narrator:

Jean Minetta (Min-ET-tah) recently had surgery for lung cancer that was heavy duty. So she was surprised that her doctor asked her to get up and use a walker the next day.

Jean Minetta, Surgery Patient:

With all the tubes and everything else, I didn't know if I could… I could never have held on to a walker this way.

Narrator:

But while she was picturing this… Surgeon Avi Lebenthal (AH-vee LEE-bin-thall) had something else in mind - A walker specifically designed for thoracic surgery patients.

Jean Minetta, Surgery Patient:

They put me in this walker, and darn, it was wonderful.

Narrator:

A thoracic operation takes place inside the chest. And patients are hooked up to a number of tubes and catheters afterwards.

Avi Lebenthal, MD, Thoracic Surgeon, Fox Chase Cancer Center:

A patient will come out of the operating room with a chest tube, sometimes two chest tubes. They will often require a little bit of oxygen to help them oxygenate their lungs properly.

Narrator:

Here's Jean the day after surgery. The new walker accomodates all her lines and catheters and she doesn't have to worry that they'll disconnect. And because the arm rests adjust, she feels safe on her feet.

Jean Minetta, Surgery Patient:

I mean, I felt secure because it was the perfect height.

Narrator:

If the walker can encourage patient mobility, there may be fewer complications.

Avi Lebenthal, MD, Thoracic Surgeon, Fox Chase Cancer Center:

We find less pneumonia. And these are really the, the key benefits, as well as a decrease in the incidence of pulmonary embolism because they're moving their feet. The blood is flowing in the legs and so there is less of a chance for a clot to form.

Narrator:

Jean's recovery went smoothly and she headed back to work three months after her surgery. For WebMD, I'm Sandee LaMotte.

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