Worldwide, heart disease has become one of the leading causes of death irrespective of gender. It is a severe health concern that cannot be ignored, and proper treatment must be provided before it is too late. Even though the phrase "heart disease" refers to a wide range of heart-related disorders, coronary artery disease, a cardiovascular ailment brought on by plaque accumulation inside your arteries, is one of the most prevalent. If a clogged artery stops blood flow to a part of your heart muscle and deprives it of oxygen, in such instances, can lead to a heart attack. Heart surgery is the most effective treatment for this condition. 

It is true that conventional heart surgeries work perfectly, but robotic heart surgery eliminates the necessity for a complete sternotomy and saves the patient from many surgery-related health issues. The benefits of robotic heart surgery include reduced discomfort, less bleeding, early discharge, and an accelerated healing process apart from better cosmesis. In 1998, robot-assisted heart surgery was first performed with the Da Vinci System to conduct the first robotic completely endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB). And now, with the advancement of technology, thousands of robotically assisted bypass procedures are carried out each year.  

What is Robotic Heart Surgery? 

In robotic heart surgery, a surgeon is assisted by robotic arms to handle surgical instruments to perform a minimally invasive cardiac operation. What’s more, in contrast to routine open heart surgery, the surgeon does not make an incision in your chest. With the recent advancements, the field of heart surgery has altered because this process enables doctors to make fewer incisions during complicated cardiac surgeries for heart treatment. 

With the use of a surgical robotic arm, doctors most frequently carry out the repair of the mitral valve and removal of malignancies or benign growths. A computer-enhanced robotic system used by surgeons consists of a 3D camera system that enables a surgeon to observe the inside of the body in high definition and zoom in for enhanced visualisation. The instruments attached to the slender robotic arms can replicate the motion of human fingers, wrists, and hands, more surgical accuracy and a greater range of motion are made possible. The surgeon also gets total control over the robotic arm to perform accurate surgical instrument movements.  

Robotic cardiac surgery is used for the treatment of mitral valve repair, mitral valve replacement, septal myectomy, patent foramen ovale (PFO) repair, tricuspid valve repair, removal of cardiac tumors, atrial septal defect (ASD) repair, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).     

What Happens During The Procedure of Robot-Assisted Cardiac Surgery?   

Just like any other major surgery, the patient will be put under general anesthesia before the treatment begins. The patient will experience no pain or discomfort during the procedure, however, before the treatment some patients may be given a sedative to help them relax.

A breathing tube will then be placed into the lungs through the throat, and throughout the procedure, a device known as a ventilator will be attached to the patient for breathing. 3 to 4 keyhole-sized incisions will be made on the side of the chest by the surgeon, and in some cases, the patient will be connected to a heart-lung machine. 

Several precisely guided robotic arms will be inserted into these incisions by your surgeon to perform the necessary operations on the heart or nearby arteries. These robotic arms have small devices attached to them for the procedure. Another incision will be made to insert 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 to finish the surgery and then seal the wounds. 

Pros and Cons of the Robotic Heart Surgery 

The advantages of robotic cardiac surgery over traditional surgery are many, but some risks are also involved since this is a major operation. 

Pros
 | Cons
Less scarring from smaller incisions | In rare cases, an open heart surgery might still be required after it
Reduced postoperative pain | 

A short hospital stay | 

Less bleeding | 

Reduced chance of infection | 

Shorter recovery period | 

No Bone is cut | 

Differences between Robotic Cardiac Surgery and Traditional Open-Heart Surgery

• Small port incisions are used in robotic heart surgery, thus, unlike standard open heart surgery, it does not require a thorough sternotomy.
• Surgeons make tiny incisions (less than 1 inch) to insert tiny cameras and precision equipment during this surgery, but during open heart surgery, a 10”–12" incision is made in the breastbone to provide access to the heart. 
• Patients who have robotic heart surgery spend one to three days in the hospital, whereas those who have open heart surgery spend five to seven days there.
• Following robotic heart surgery, the risk of infection is sometimes reduced, however, there is a slightly increased risk of infection following open heart surgery.
• The patient recovers more quickly from robotic cardiac surgery for the treatment of coronary artery disease because it is less intrusive than open heart surgery.
• After robotic heart surgery, it takes two to four weeks to resume regular activities, but following an open heart surgery, a person can return to work after three to six months.
• When compared to open heart surgery, robotic heart surgery leaves fewer scars, which is a desirable factor for many patients. 

Best Candidates for Robotic Cardiac Surgery 

In the past, a number of variables restricted who could undergo minimally invasive cardiac surgery, however, there are now significantly fewer restrictions. Before the recent advancements in this type of minimally invasive procedure, the patient's age, medical history, lifestyle, and the kind and severity of the illness were all taken into account. Patients with any cardiac disease may now access these procedures much more easily! One thing to remember is to improve your ability to breathe and recover from surgery, quit using tobacco products before and after surgery because your wounds will then receive the oxygen they require to heal properly. 

Myths and Misconceptions about Robotic Cardiac Surgery 

Many people think that after robotic cardiac surgery, they must follow a strict lifestyle for the rest of their lives, and sometimes they are also under the impression that this type of surgery is not as effective as an open heart surgery. Both of these thoughts are untrue! As soon as they feel well enough after surgery, the majority of people may resume their regular activities and work, which usually happens two to four weeks following surgery. 

The physician offers detailed instructions on how to recuperate and resume the daily schedule, and how to take care of the incisions! However, some could require routine echocardiograms, depending on the type of robotic heart surgery they underwent. Remember to find out from your doctor whether there are any medications you should avoid, but don't just stop taking them abruptly without consulting the doctor. 

Why is Robotic Cardiac Surgery Gaining Popularity? 

When using the robotic system, surgeons discovered that it improves control, flexibility, and precision throughout the procedure compared to conventional surgical techniques. The robotic technology also improves the visibility of the surgery location so that surgeons can execute intricate and delicate treatments that could be challenging or impossible with traditional techniques. Minimally invasive surgery, such as this one, also has fewer side effects, including reduced chance of infections, blood loss, pain, and scars, so the treatment is more efficient.  

Final Remarks 

During robotic heart surgery, the surgeon controls the robotic arms, and the surgery is not actually performed by a robot, a common misconception that many people get worried about. However, before you make a decision about your surgery, a consultation with a reliable surgeon with vast experience in performing robotic surgery is a must!  

For an appointment with a senior specialist surgeon, contact Medanta today!