Mitral Valve Repair - Robotic Surgery
Robotic mitral valve repair surgery is a remarkable new technology that allows heart surgeons to perform heart surgery using robotic technology that accesses the heart through small incisions. The most common approach to repair requires the surgeon to saw open the breastbone and spread the ribs to gain direct access to the heart.
Advantages to Robotic Mitral Valve Repair
For most patients, robotic mitral valve repair results in substantially less pain, less blood loss, shorter recovery time, and easier recovery after mitral valve repair. Other advantages include reduced need for blood transfusions, minimal scarring, a decreased risk of infection, shorter hospital stays and quicker return to normal activities.
The Robotic Mitral Valve Repair Procedure
The robotic mitral valve repair is similar to the traditional mitral valve repair procedure in the initial steps. The difference is that during the operation, the surgeon is seated at a console away from the patient. The console has a three-dimensional viewing system that provides the surgeon with an clear view of the heart. The surgeon then controls surgical instruments within the operative site from the console. The robotic armos both mimic and enhance the surgeon's own hand movements, rendering them more precise by minimizing even slight hand tremor - an important element when operating on the delicate tissue of the mitral valve. The improved visualization and precision of robotic assistance helps to minimize the trauma of surgery, while providing the same favorable patient outcomes associated with mitral valve repair.
How is robotic heart mitral valve repair different from traditional surgery?
- Three tiny incisions (holes or “ports”) are made in between the ribs
- 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
- 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. 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. The surgeon is always in control and there is no chance the robotic arms will move on their own
Can Surgery be Performed Robotically for all Mitral Valve Repair?
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 a repair is a successful surgical result that lasts a lifetime, each patient is evaluated individually to determine if robotic surgery should be performed.
Mitral valve repair involves delicate reconstruction of the mitral valve in order to restore proper function. In the majority of cases, a full sternotomy (incision of the breastbone) is required to obtain direct access to the heart. This is the most optimal method because it provides the surgeon with the best vision and access to the mitral valve. In some cases, however, it may be possible to use a minimally invasive robotic surgery approach to be completed.
The decision to perform minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is complex and involves a discussion between cardiothoracic surgeons and a cardiologist. The cardiologist will perform echocardiography (an ultrasound imaging study that looks at blood flow in the heart) to determine if the mitral valve disease can be treated with robotic mitral valve repair. To find out if you are a candidate for robotic mitral valve repair, you should speak with your cardiologist or schedule a consultation with a cardiac surgeon.
More Information
• Robotic Surgery from Intuitive Surgical• Robotic Surgery
