Dr. Singer's Patient Outcomes

Nothing can be more important than knowing the experience level of your surgeon. Generally speaking, the more you do something, the better you become! Since entering practice in 1992, I have performed over 4,500 major heart and lung operations and numerous minor bedside procedures.

Below are charts listing my experience and outcomes for all of my major heart and lung procedures. I will be updating the data at least yearly to keep you informed of my results. When seeking a surgical opinion, do not be afraid to ask your surgeon for his or her results. If he or she is unwilling or cannot provide you with his or her results, I would be cautious about proceeding with that physician.

All of my surgical partners are able to share their experience and results with you. In addition, you can go to the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) at www.phc4.org to obtain more of our yearly results.

PHC4 is an independent state agency formed in order to address the rapidly growing health care costs. As I have written in my Op Ed publication on President Clinton's heart surgery, I do applaud the state's effort to review this important data, however one should also know that the PHC4 analysis could be incomplete or even misleading.

Just the same, these reports are widely distributed and are used by governmental agencies (CMS), insurance companies, businesses and consumers alike. No doubt, having good data is important and relevant. Therefore, a clear need exists for all of us in health care and in government to work together to make the data we report more meaningful.

Total Major Operations Performed by Dr. Singer

(Updated January, 2008)

Breakdown of Types of Operations

Dr. Singer's Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Results

(Updated January, 2008)

Dr. Singer's Valve Surgery Results

(Updated January, 2008)

The percentage of valve operations performed by me has increased steadily since 1999, after traveling to London and Paris to learn advanced aortic valve and mitral valve techniques.

Below are my results for isolated mitral valve repair operations since 2000. In general, whenever possible, it is always better to repair the mitral valve as opposed to replacing it with a prosthetic valve. Having said that, sometimes the mitral valve simply cannot be repaired and a prosthetic valve replacement is warranted.

Currently, the majority of my patients who have mitral valve prolapse can have their valve repaired without the need for a replacement valve. Mitral valve repair is a safe operation, as illustrated below:

Dr. Singer's General Thoracic Surgery Results*

(Updated January, 2008)

*The term "General Thoracic Surgery" refers to major lung, esophageal, and chest wall procedures.

Last Modified Monday, February 18, 2008