Robotic heart surgery was performed for the first time at Jaipur in Rajasthan. The team of cardiac surgeons of Manipal Hospital performed this surgery on three patients (one woman and two men) on three consecutive days.

Out of these three patients, two patients had blockages in their heart veins for which bypass surgery was performed. Furthermore, one patient had a large hole in his heart, which was closed with robotic heart surgery. Moreover, all the patients are completely healthy. All three patients are residents of Rajasthan.

Dr Lalitaditya Malik, a senior cardiac surgeon performed the surgery. He said that the Robotic heart surgery technique is completely different from traditional surgery. No incision is created, nor is the bone severed in this procedure. In the old technique, a 9-10 inch long incision was made on the chest, whereas in robotic surgery the operation is completed by making only a small hole.

This technology has been used in metro cities like Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai since last year. The new initiative in Jaipur will feature a cutting-edge robotic heart surgery facility.

What is robotic heart surgery?

Robotic heart surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed by a surgeon using a robotic system. Instead of making a large incision in the chest, the surgeon makes several small incisions and inserts thin robotic arms with surgical instruments attached to them. The surgeon controls these instruments from a console, using a high-definition 3D camera to guide them.

Benefits of robotic heart surgery

• Higher accuracy of surgery. Moreover, it takes less time than traditional surgery.
• Reduced blood loss. Therefore there is no need for a blood transfusion. Moreover, it reduces the risk of infection.
• Smaller, less noticeable scars. That leads to less pain.
• Improved surgical precision for complex procedures. This leads to less trauma to the body compared to conventional surgery.
• Faster recovery and shorter hospital stays. The patient’s stay in the hospital is reduced. Discharge in 2-3 days if recovery is better. Hence less hospital stay charges.

Common robotic heart surgeries

• Valve repair or replacement (mitral or tricuspid valves). 
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (in specific cases).
• Atrial septal defect closure  
• Tumor removal or treating irregular heart rhythms.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for all patients or all types of heart conditions.
• Requires specialized training for the surgical team.
• Can be more expensive than traditional methods due to the equipment involved.

How It Works:

• Pre-Surgery: Imaging techniques (e.g., CT or MRI) are used to plan the procedure.
• During Surgery: The surgeon sits at the robotic console and uses hand controls to guide the robotic arms.
• Post-Surgery: Patients typically recover faster and experience less pain than with open-heart surgery.

Robotic heart surgery is often used in specialized cardiac centres and is an option for patients seeking less invasive alternatives to traditional heart surgery.

This information should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.