Just a decade ago, open heart surgery was the gold standard for cardiac operations, however, with the fast-paced progress in medical invention, robotic heart surgery is now becoming the norm! Any cardiac surgeon will agree these days that adopting technological innovations like robotic heart surgery is essential for the future of heart surgery. The possibility for less intrusive treatments and better patient outcomes this technology offers is practically a medical miracle! 

Numerous benefits, such as increased accuracy, less blood loss, quick recuperation, and a decreased chance of complications, come with robotic heart surgery mainly because this type of surgery makes tiny incisions as opposed to conventional open heart surgery. Smaller incisions from these innovative robotic surgery technologies result in less discomfort and quicker recovery, so the advantages are not only aesthetic but also physical. Every year, over sixty thousand open heart operations are performed in India, but the use of robotic cardiac surgery is gaining pace, and we at medanta offer this service to suitable patients.  

What is Robotic Heart Surgery? 

Robot-assisted cardiac surgery is a type of minimally invasive heart surgery where the surgeon makes tiny incisions in the chest and uses a specially made robot arm to carry out complex surgical procedures. To carry out the surgery precisely, the surgeon controls the robotic arms through a console and a computer screen that displays clear, three-dimensional views of the heart and the larger surgery area. 

The type of heart issue the patient has, the patient's anatomy, and any previous surgical or medical histories are some of the variables that will affect how the surgery is performed! To choose the best course of action, the surgeon will thoroughly assess the patient because, in some cases, a patient may benefit from a variety of alternative choices, such as other minimally invasive treatments. That is why the surgeon ensures that robotic heart surgery is the best operation method for that particular patient before finalizing the procedure.   

What are the Different Types of Robotic Heart Surgery? 

Expert medical professionals who have specialized in robot-assisted surgery carry out the following types of heart surgeries through this innovative procedure:  

• Heart valve repair and replacement - Heart valve replacement and repair, including aortic tricuspid and mitral valve replacement and repair procedures are performed with this process. 
• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) - In order to enhance blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart, a surgeon performing a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) will reroute blood flow past the constricted or congested sections of the main arteries of the heart to cure the condition.
• Septal myectomy - Traditionally done as open heart surgery, a septal myectomy is a technique used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or thickening of the heart muscle, which weakens the heart over time.
• Atrial septal defect (ASD) repair - Repairing an atrial septal defect (ASD) involves fixing a congenital cardiac defect, a problem that existed from birth, where the septum, the wall separating the upper heart chambers, has a hole in it. 
• Tumor removal - Removal of heart tumors is possible with robot-assisted surgeries. 
• Left ventricular (LV) - Positioning the left ventricular (LV) pacing line in order to install a pacemaker that controls and maintains the correct heart rate. 

How is Robotic Cardiac Surgery Performed? 

The robot hands used in robotic surgery are extremely flexible, and this enables the doctor to do operations in the heart’s most constricted areas, which are otherwise only accessible through open heart surgery. These self-powered, computer-controlled surgical robots help with the positioning and handling of the surgical tools, and the surgeon benefits from improved control, flexibility, and precision as a result. 

Sitting in the operating room, the surgeon operates from the computer console and controls the tiny instruments that are fixed on the three robotic arms for this heart surgery process. The first step is to make small incisions on the patient, and then the surgeon inserts a fourth robotic arm that has a 3-D camera connected to it to check the heart and the surrounding area. The surgical devices linked to the robot's arms receive the surgeon's hand, finger, and wrist motions via the computer panel, and this way maximum control is possible since the replicated motions never vary from the instructions the surgeon sends.  

What are the Differences between Robotic Cardiac Surgery and Open-Heart Surgery?

The following are the main differences between these two procedures: 

Robotic Heart Surgery
 

• Small incisions are used in robotic heart surgery. 
• Surgeons make small incisions (less than 1 inch) to insert tiny cameras and precision equipment inside the body. 
• The patient recovers more quickly from robotic cardiac surgery and spends 2 to 4 days in the hospital.   
• Robotic heart surgery leaves only small scars.  
• After robotic heart surgery, it takes the patient about two to four weeks to resume regular activities. 
• Robotic heart surgery has reduced the risk of infection, bleeding.  

Open-Heart Surgery

• Standard open heart surgery requires a sternotomy.
• During open heart surgery, an 8”–12" incision is made in the breastbone to provide access to the heart.
• Open heart surgery is more intrusive, and patients stay five to seven days in the hospital.
• Open heart surgery leaves a large scar on the chest.
• Following open heart surgery, a person can return to work after three to six months.
• Open heart surgery has a slightly increased risk of infection, bleeding.

What are the Benefits of Robot-Assisted Heart Surgery?

As we have mentioned earlier, in contrast to open heart surgery, which requires opening the chest, slicing the muscles, and separating the ribs to reach the heart, robotic heart surgery enables physicians to execute the procedure through very small incisions. As a result, the patient benefits from less discomfort and pain, reduced scarring, less blood loss, a decreased need for blood transfusions, a low chance of infection, and a quicker recuperation period.  

Are there any Risks Involved with Robotic Heart Surgery?  

All surgeries come with certain risks, especially if proper aftercare is not taken! Even though robot-assisted heart surgery has much fewer risks than open heart surgery, it still has a small chance of postoperative complications such as anesthesia-related issues, infection, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), stroke, and heart attack. 

What Type of Aftercare is Required after a Robotic Heart Surgery? 

Following surgery, you often require routine health examinations to monitor your condition and to check the heart's functioning, tests may be performed regularly for some time. Your medical staff could advise you to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle, and you should consume a nutritious diet, engage in frequent physical activity, control your stress, and avoid smoking. 

A customized exercise and education program may be recommended by your care team to help you recover after surgery, and this treatment is sometimes referred to as cardiac rehabilitation. People who have had heart surgery truly benefit from it because exercise under supervision, emotional support, and instruction on leading a heart-healthy lifestyle are the common components of this cardiac rehabilitation program.

Final Remarks

Heart diseases can be life-threatening, and if you are diagnosed with one, you must always follow your doctor's instructions, which means if your doctor recommends surgery, you must go with it! The good news is unlike traditional open heart surgery, the modern robotic heart surgery procedure is much less intrusive, and you receive the benefits of less blood loss, a lower infection rate, and a quick recovery period. However, this is a relatively new procedure, and only certain specialists can execute the robotic heart surgery with precision and success.

To receive information regarding robotic cardiac surgery in India, give Medanta a call and set up an appointment with the best cardiac specialists who are highly knowledgeable in robotic heart surgery!