Robot-Assisted Mitral Valve Surgery

Robot-assisted mitral valve surgery is a type of minimally invasive heart surgery. The robot allows surgeons to operate through a few small incisions in the side of the chest. It also provides magnified 3D images and uses tiny tools with far greater flexibility than a human hand. This means your surgeon can operate with more precision and control.

Why robot-assisted mitral valve surgery is performed

Your heart has four valves — the mitral, tricuspid, aortic and pulmonary valves. The mitral valve separates the upper and lower chambers on the left side of your heart. Heart valves keep blood flowing through your heart. They open to allow blood to flow forward and close tightly so blood does not leak backwards into the heart.

Your doctor may recommend robot-assisted mitral valve surgery to repair or replace a diseased mitral valve. This includes:

• Mitral valve regurgitation, which is a leaky valve that doesn’t close properly
• Mitral valve stenosis, which is when the valve opening becomes narrow because the valve doesn’t fully open 

What to expect

A cardiac surgeon will perform your robot-assisted mitral valve surgery in a hospital. You will have general anesthesia. Your surgeon will make several small incisions — usually less than two inches. Your surgeon inserts the robotic instruments through the incisions. The instruments copy the movements of the surgeon’s hands. The surgeon is always in control of the instruments. Generally, robot-assisted mitral valve surgery take less time than traditional surgery.

All surgeries have a risk of complications, such as reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, blood clots, and infections. With robot-assisted mitral valve surgery, it’s possible your surgeon may need to switch to another surgical technique, such as open heart surgery. Your specialized cardiac care team is prepared for all types of heart surgery. 

Talk with your care team about plans to minimize your risks. They also will answer your questions and address any concerns you may have about your surgery. In most cases, the benefits of robot-assisted mitral valve surgery outweigh the risks.

Recovery after robot-assisted mitral valve surgery

In general, the minimally invasive and highly precise nature of robot-assisted surgery results in less pain and a quicker recovery. Other benefits include:

• Less blood loss and need for blood transfusions
• Lower risk of infection, bleeding, and blood clots
• Shorter hospital stays, usually 3 to 4 days, and less time in intensive care
• Faster return to activities
• Smaller scars

If you are a candidate for minimally invasive surgery, ask your doctor if robot-assisted surgery is right for you.