Heart disease is not only one of the leading causes of death, but it can also severely limit a person’s daily activities and decrease the quality of life! Heart disease refers to a wide range of heart-related disorders, and even though some of them may be controlled with medication, others require surgery for the patient to live a normal life. For example, coronary artery disease, a cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) ailment that can cause a heart attack, often requires surgery. It is true that heart surgery is the last course of action when it comes to treating heart diseases, but given the number of people getting heart diseases, the number of surgeries is also increasing. In India alone, more than 3 lakh heart surgeries are performed each year! 

In the past, open heart surgery was the sole method available to surgeons for performing cardiac operations however with the advancements in medical technology, robotic heart surgery is gaining popularity and is now becoming the go-to procedure in many situations. A lengthy incision along the middle of the chest is necessary for open heart surgery, but robot-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique that requires only small incisions that heal quickly. The efficiency of robotic surgery and the shorter recovery time are the driving forces behind this method's popularity! 

What is Robotic Heart Surgery?

In robotic heart surgery, a form of minimally invasive cardiac surgery, a surgeon uses thin robotic arms to handle surgical instruments. In contrast to routine open heart surgery, the surgeon does not make a large incision in the chest when using the robot-assisted surgery method! Robotic cardiac surgery enables surgeons to make fewer incisions during complicated cardiac procedures, which benefits the patient. 

A computer-enhanced robotic system used by surgeons consists of:

• Robotic arms - Instruments on slender robotic arms that replicate the motion of human fingers, wrists, and hands, and as a result more accuracy and a greater range of motion are made possible.
• High-resolution camera - The device enables a surgeon to observe the surgery area in high definition and zoom in for a close-up.
• Controls - Controls that convert the surgeon's hand and wrist motions into accurate surgical instrument movements.

When is Robotic Cardiac Surgery Performed? 

Robot-assisted cardiac surgery has the primary advantage of being less intrusive than open heart surgery, and the patient may be able to recuperate more rapidly, resume their activities sooner, and spend less time in the hospital. Whether robot-assisted cardiac surgery is suitable for a certain patient will be decided by their healthcare practitioner. This means the robotic heart surgery journey begins when a patient is diagnosed with a heart issue that can be solved with this modern technique. It can be applied to replace or repair heart valves that are stiff or leaking, take out a cardiac tumor, address congenital cardiac disorders, coronary artery bypass surgery, and more. 

Coronary artery disease (CAD)
The main symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD) is constricted or blocked coronary arteries, which prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart muscle.

Valvular heart disease
The term valvular heart disease describes abnormalities with one or more of the four heart valves, which impair the heart's ability to pump blood.

Certain congenital heart defects
Congenital heart defects are problems that affect the structure and function of the heart and are present from birth.

Arrhythmias
Usually treatable with medicine, abnormal heartbeats caused by this disease might occasionally necessitate surgery. 

Not everyone is a good candidate for robotic heart surgery, as is the case with any surgical treatment! Each case will be examined by a cardiologist to assess if they could benefit from the surgery. 

The Necessary Tests before Robotic Heart Surgery

Those who suffer from specific cardiac conditions may be good candidates for robotic heart surgery, however, to ascertain if someone qualifies for robotic heart surgery, medical professionals do diagnostic tests on the patient.

These tests might consist of:

• Chest X-ray.
• Echocardiogram.
• Cardiac catheterization.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan.

To decide if someone qualifies for robotic heart surgery, the surgeon will go over the findings of various diagnostic procedures. In the end, the course of therapy will be determined by several factors, including the kind and extent of the patient’s cardiac condition, results from CT scan, echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, and their medical background.  

Robotic Heart Surgery Procedure 

Robotic heart surgery patient journey begins at diagnosis, however, people actually start to get worried when it comes to the actual procedure. Let’s take a look at how the entire process is performed: 

• Before the procedure starts, the patient can be given a sedative to help them relax.
• A medical professional will provide anesthesia to the patient, and as a result, they will be unconscious and experience no pain during the procedure. 
• A breathing tube will be placed into the lungs through the throat, and throughout the procedure, a device known as a ventilator will be attached to the patient.  
• 3 to 4 keyhole-sized incisions will be made on the side of their chest by the surgeon, and their rib apertures will line up with these cuts. 
• Several precisely guided robotic arms will be inserted into these incisions by the surgeon. To perform the necessary operations on the heart or nearby arteries, these robotic arms grasp and control small devices.
• Another incision will be used to introduce a small video camera which will give a three-dimensional, enlarged view of the operation location.
• From a console in the operating room, the surgeon will operate the camera and robotic arms. After the surgery is completed, the surgeon will close the wounds.

What are the Benefits of Robotic Cardiac Surgery?

Robotic cardiac surgery is revolutionizing the field of heart health, and compared to conventional techniques, this innovative approach offers notable and substantial advantages that the older methods can never offer. These are the main reasons why people feel more comfortable going to the operating table after a robotic heart surgery diagnosis. 

• Reduced Transfusion and Blood Loss 

The potential of robotic heart surgery to lower blood loss and transfusion rates is a significant advantage! Smaller incisions result from its minimally invasive method, which lessens the stress on the blood vessels and surrounding tissues, and consequently, there is a considerable decrease in blood loss during operation. As a result, fewer transfusions are required, and related problems are reduced as well, which results in better postoperative outcomes and faster recovery periods. 

• Improved Surgical Precision

The robotic technology increases the surgeon's skill by enabling precise procedures in the complex areas of the heart, which improves patient outcomes by reducing the possibility of surgical mistakes. This system's sophisticated 3D visualization makes it possible to navigate through heart structures with ease, which enhances patient safety!

• Quicker Recuperation

Accelerated heart surgery recovery durations are unquestionably one of the best advantages of robotic heart surgery, and there is also less postoperative discomfort as a result of the smaller incisions and less tissue damage. Shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and an earlier return to regular activities are all made possible by this. 

• Reduced Risk of Infection 

Robotic heart surgery has a proven track record of lowering the risk of complications, and its minimally invasive technique lowers the incidence of surgical site infections by limiting the exposure of internal tissues to external pollutants.  

Final Remarks

More and more people are opting for robotic heart surgery because of its numerous benefits! What’s more, compared to open heart surgery, robotic heart surgery offers patients a sense of safety psychologically since there is no large scar left on the patient’s body after the surgery. As soon as they feel well enough, the majority of people may resume their regular activities, which usually happens two to four weeks following surgery. 

Remember, the procedure is still relatively new, so if you are considering having robotic heart surgery instead of going through open heart surgery, you should contact specialists who have the required knowledge to provide this care. 

To book an appointment with a cardiac surgeon with expertise in robotic heart surgery, contact Medanta today!