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Amazing Photos of Cardiovascular Surgery by a Photographer in the Heart of the OR
Stèphanie Lavaud | July 21, 2021
| Contributor Information
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Image courtesy of Natacha Sibellas
Amazing Photos of Cardiovascular Surgery by a Photographer in the Heart of the OR
Stèphanie Lavaud | July 21, 2021 | Contributor Information
Coronary suture during bypass surgery
It was a medical and artistic first when the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, France, welcomed photographer Natacha Sibellas into its realm for more than 2 years.
From her comings and goings in the heart of their three operating rooms (ORs) emerged Au Cœur du Bloc, which brings together nearly 100 pages of black-and-white images. It is an homage to the work of the care team and bares witness to the beauty of the surgical act.
Image courtesy of Natacha Sibellas
Amazing Photos of Cardiovascular Surgery by a Photographer in the Heart of the OR
Stèphanie Lavaud | July 21, 2021 | Contributor Information
Placing cardiac stabilizers to expose the coronary arteries during bypass surgery
"The project started with a meeting with Nicolas d'Ostrevy, a cardiac surgeon," explained Natacha Sibellas. "He discovered my first book in black and white, about the boxer Farida El Hadrati, Du Cœur Dans les Poings."
D'Ostrevy put her in contact with Lionel Camilleri, MD, head of cardiovascular surgery at Gabriel Montpied University Hospital in Clermont-Ferrand, who agreed to let a "stranger" enter a space little known to outsiders.
"I also have a taste for photography, although I haven't enough time to indulge in it," Camilleri, who agreed to her taking photographs in his ORs, told Medscape France.
Image courtesy of Natacha Sibellas
Amazing Photos of Cardiovascular Surgery by a Photographer in the Heart of the OR
Stèphanie Lavaud | July 21, 2021 | Contributor Information
Passing a vascular clip during removal of the internal thoracic arteries
Sibellas was initially presented to "all the staff, around 60 to 80 healthcare professionals," Camilleri recalled.
"Then she learned how to prepare for the OR, and she came several times over 2 years. Extremely discreet, she was able to acclimatize herself so as to not get in the way. She came and went between the three ORs, fitting in perfectly with the team."
He added, "She disappeared into the background, and we often heard nothing more than the 'click, click' of her camera. It took her a little while to get her bearings, but it went really well."
Image courtesy of Natacha Sibellas
Amazing Photos of Cardiovascular Surgery by a Photographer in the Heart of the OR
Stèphanie Lavaud | July 21, 2021 | Contributor Information
Preparing a suture during aortic dissection surgery
"The ORs are equipped with a horizontal flow that allows the air to be in constant movement," Camilleri explained, adding that Sibellas consequently "learned to stay away from the patient's feet as well as the sterile areas."
"Lots of the photos were taken at the side of the patient's head, where a vertical sheet protects the anesthetic area, and sometimes while on steps behind the surgeon. So it posed no problems in terms of asepsis."
Image courtesy of Natacha Sibellas
Amazing Photos of Cardiovascular Surgery by a Photographer in the Heart of the OR
Stèphanie Lavaud | July 21, 2021 | Contributor Information
Mitral valve replacement — passing threads through the heart
Why black and white? "Above all, I am a black-and-white photographer," said Sibellas, "and I see life in black and white, sometimes with a touch of color."
"But also black and white for its elegance, to soften an act that could frighten. And finally, to illuminate a team in shadow," she added.
"The idea of the light and shade in these photos was also to focus the eye toward the key point, which is the surgical act."
Image courtesy of Natacha Sibellas
Amazing Photos of Cardiovascular Surgery by a Photographer in the Heart of the OR
Stèphanie Lavaud | July 21, 2021 | Contributor Information
Installing a cannula to allow drainage of venous blood during extracorporeal circulation
"To photograph in the OR, the first thing is to not be a burden," Sibellas said.
"The idea was that I adapt to the team and their working conditions, and of course the environment," she added. "I first had to learn the rules of asepsis, to watch, understand, and be patient."
"You have to learn…medical confidentiality, where you can go and not go, to respect the team, and of course when to stand aside if necessary."
"The idea was to feel in phase with a team in which everyone has their role."
Image courtesy of Natacha Sibellas
Amazing Photos of Cardiovascular Surgery by a Photographer in the Heart of the OR
Stèphanie Lavaud | July 21, 2021 | Contributor Information
Hemostasis of the sternal edges
"I found the prints on paper very beautiful," Camilleri said, "as they give the surgical scenes a warmth and softness that, in my opinion, digital photography takes away."
"I am certainly delighted with the result and very impressed by the execution of the book."
Image courtesy of Natacha Sibellas
Amazing Photos of Cardiovascular Surgery by a Photographer in the Heart of the OR
Stèphanie Lavaud | July 21, 2021 | Contributor Information
Suturing a hybrid vascular prosthesis of the aortic arch
"It's my way of showing support, to show an incredible humanity in a world where technology is increasingly prevalent," Sibellas explained.
"Of course, the technical side is central, but there are men and women there who work tirelessly."
And it was this teamwork that was essential to her realizing the book. "Clearly, without the surgeons and the entire care team, we would not have been able to achieve it," she said.
Image courtesy of Natacha Sibellas
Amazing Photos of Cardiovascular Surgery by a Photographer in the Heart of the OR
Stèphanie Lavaud | July 21, 2021 | Contributor Information
Lowering the parachute of an aortic valve prosthesis
The printing of the book was funded by subscriptions from colleagues, patients, and their families and friends.
"Many patients took part, which is very gratifying for us, and they were very satisfied with the results, alongside the healthcare team," Camilleri noted.
The subscription exceeded the budget for printing the book, and the surplus was given to the Marc Laskar endowment fund of the French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, "the main aim of which is to finance the training of young thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons," he added.
In addition, part of the sale of each book will be donated to the fund.
Image courtesy of Natacha Sibellas
Amazing Photos of Cardiovascular Surgery by a Photographer in the Heart of the OR
Stèphanie Lavaud | July 21, 2021 | Contributor Information
A box set includes a double collection of photographs taken over more than 2 years at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital. The first contains 96 pages of surgical images, while the other is a companion set of 80 atmospheric photographs.
Note: €6 (~$7) of every book sold is donated to the Marc Laskar endowment fund of the French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery for the training of young surgeons.
Image courtesy of Natacha Sibellas
Translated and adapted from Medscape's French edition.
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Stèphanie Lavaud
Journalist
Medscape France
Disclosure: Stèphanie Lavaud has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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