If your cardiologist, after a complete medical assessment, has considered you an eligible candidate for robotic heart surgery, then you might wonder, “Does a robot actually perform the operation?” No. A surgeon remains in complete control throughout robotic heart surgery.
Robot-assisted cardiac surgery is a type of minimally invasive heart surgery in which a surgeon controls surgical tools attached to thin robotic arms through a console. These instruments enter the chest via a few small incisions rather than requiring the large chest opening used in traditional open-heart surgery.
The robotic system provides the surgeon a magnified, high-definition 3D view and allows precise movement of small instruments. Based on the individual condition, robotic cardiac surgery may be used for procedures such as mitral valve repair or replacement, tricuspid valve repair, atrial septal defect repair, removal of certain heart tumours, and selected coronary artery bypass procedures.
However, not everyone is suitable for robotic surgery. Your eligibility will be decided on the type and severity of heart disease, previous surgeries, overall health, imaging findings, and the surgeon’s assessment.
Quick Overview: Robotic Heart Surgery
Read the table below to get a quick answer to your common questions on robot-assisted cardiac surgery:
| Question | Quick Answer |
| What is robotic heart surgery? | A minimally invasive heart surgery performed via small chest incisions using surgeon-controlled robotic instruments. |
| Does a robot perform the surgery? | No. The surgeon controls every movement of the robotic instruments. |
| How does it work? | The surgeon operates from a console while robotic arms hold tiny instruments and a 3D camera inside the chest. |
| What procedures can it treat? | Selected valve surgeries, heart defect repairs, tumour removal and certain coronary bypass procedures. |
| Is it open-heart surgery? | It generally avoids the traditional full breastbone incision. But some procedures may still require a heart-lung machine. |
| What are the potential benefits? | Smaller incisions, less pain and bleeding in appropriate patients, less visible scarring and potentially faster recovery. |
| Is robotic surgery suitable for everyone? | No. Your provider can tell you if you’re a candidate for robotic cardiac surgery after proper clinical assessment. |
What Is Robotic Heart Surgery?
Robotic Heart Surgery (also known as robot-assisted cardiac surgery) is a minimally invasive heart surgery done through very small cuts (incisions) in the chest.
Robot-assisted surgeries have been used for many different heart-related procedures, such as:
- Valve surgery
- Coronary artery bypass
- Cardiac tissue ablation
- Heart defect repair
- Tumour removal
Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, which may require a sternotomy (opening the breastbone), robotic cardiac surgery generally involves several small openings between the ribs.
Read Also: Robotic vs. Open-Heart Surgery: What Patients Need to Know
The Robotic System Typically Includes:
- A high-definition 3D camera.
- Small surgical instruments attached to robotic arms.
- A surgeon’s console.
- Controls that translate the surgeon’s hand movements into precise instrument movements.
The surgeon sees the operating area in an enlarged 3D view and controls the instruments from the console.
One of the most common questions about robotic surgery is, “Does a robot perform robotic heart surgery?” No. The robot does not make decisions or carry out the surgery independently. The surgeon controls the robotic system throughout the procedure.
How Does Robotic Heart Surgery Work?
The process may vary depending on the procedure; however, the basic steps are similar.
1. Anaesthesia is Given
You receive general anaesthesia before surgery, which means you are asleep and do not feel pain during the operation. A breathing tube is generally placed to support breathing during the procedure.
2. Small Incisions Are Made
Instead of making a large incision through the breastbone, the surgeon makes several small incisions between the ribs or on the side of the chest.
3. The Robotic Instruments are Inserted
Tiny surgical instruments and a camera are placed through these openings. The camera provides a magnified 3D view of the surgical area.
4. The Surgeon Controls the Robotic System
The surgeon sits at a console inside the operating room and controls the robotic instruments using hand and wrist movements.
The system translates these movements into precise movements inside the chest.
5. The Heart Procedure Is Performed
Depending on the condition, the surgeon may repair a heart valve, close a heart defect, remove a tumour or perform another selected cardiac procedure.
Some robotic heart operations require a heart-lung machine to temporarily take over the function of the heart and lungs during surgery.
6. The Instruments Are Removed
Once the procedure is complete, the surgeon removes the instruments and camera. The small incisions are then closed.
Note: Not every individual with heart conditions will be a candidate for robotic surgery. The surgical approach is selected after evaluating the person’s anatomy, disease severity, medical history, and diagnostic results.
Who Is a Candidate for Robotic Cardiac Surgery?
Your cardiologist in Mumbai performs diagnostic tests to determine if you’re a candidate for robot-assisted cardiac surgery.
Tests may include:
- Cardiac catheterisation.
- Chest X-ray.
- Echocardiogram.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan.
Your cardiac surgeon will evaluate the results of these diagnostic tests to see if you’re a candidate for robot-assisted heart surgery. The type of treatment for your condition will be based on several factors, such as:
- The type and severity of the heart condition.
- Findings on the cardiac catheterisation, echocardiogram and CT scan.
- Your medical history.
Advantages of Robotic Heart Surgery
Potential benefits in carefully selected individuals are:
- Smaller chest incisions
- Less visible scarring
- Less disruption to the breastbone
- Less postoperative pain for some patients
- Reduced blood loss in appropriate cases
- Lower need for pain medication
- Shorter hospital stay in selected patients
- Faster recovery and return to daily activities in appropriate cases
FAQs About Robotic Heart Surgery
Is robotic heart surgery safe?
Yes.
It is generally considered safe in carefully selected individuals when performed by an experienced cardiac surgical team.
How long does it take to recover from robotic heart surgery?
After robotic cardiac surgery, you may need two weeks or more for a full recovery. However, the recovery timeline may vary based on the type of procedure and individual medical condition.
How do I know if I am eligible for robotic heart surgery?
Only your cardiac surgeon will determine if robotic surgery is suitable for you after careful assessment of your heart condition, anatomy, medical history, and imaging results.
Is robotic surgery risky?
Robotic cardiac surgery is generally safe with low complication rates. However, like other surgeries, robotic heart surgery has risks. These include bleeding, infection, heart rhythm problems, stroke, heart attack, complications related to anaesthesia, the need for a pacemaker in certain situations, and conversion to open surgery if the planned minimally invasive approach cannot be safely completed.
Conclusion
Yes, robot-assisted heart surgery has some advantages over traditional open heart surgery. But robotic surgery is not automatically the right choice for everyone. The best approach depends on your heart condition, anatomy, overall health, and the experience of the cardiac surgical team.
Talk to your cardiac surgeon, understand your treatment options, and make an informed decision about the approach best suited to your condition.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. For accurate information about robotic heart surgery, contact your cardiac surgeon.
References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17438-robotically-assisted-heart-surgery
https://ctsurgery.weillcornell.org/surgical-services/cardiac-surgery/robotic-heart-surgery
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/robotic-cardiac-surgery
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6713378/
