Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery, using the daVinci® Surgical System, allows cardiac surgeons to perform select types of heart surgery through very small incisions. It is believed that smaller incisions will lessen recovery time and post-surgical discomfort (figure 1). While these goals have not been validated through medical research it is clear that using robotic technology is changing the way heart surgery is performed.

How is robotic surgery different from traditional surgery?

Here are some of the differences.

Tiny incisions (holes or "ports") are made in between the ribs (figure 2).

The robotic arms and a tiny camera are placed through the ports.

Motion sensors are attached to the robotic "wrists" so the surgeon can control the movement (figure 3).

Instruments are placed in the robotic arms.

The surgeon sits at a computer and looks through two lenses, one for each eye, connected to two cameras inside the patient. The surgeon has a three-dimensional and magnified view inside the patient’s body (figure 4). The surgeon uses pedals to control the cameras and the surgical view.

The surgeon’s hands are used to control the tiny instruments inside the patient (figures 5 & 6). The surgeon is always in control and there is no chance the robotic arms will move on their own.

What types of operations can be performed robotically?

At Hoag Heart Valve Center, robotic surgery is used to repair some types of mitral valve disease. However, robotic surgery is not appropriate for every patient needing mitral valve repair. Since the goal of mitral valve repair is a successful surgical result that lasts a lifetime, this guides the decision on the type of techniques and technology used.