At Memorial Hermann, one of the things that sets us apart is the ability of our renowned, affiliated specialists to treat virtually any type of heart or vascular condition, regardless of severity or complexity. In addition to offering traditional (open) and minimally invasive heart and vascular surgeries, including transcatheter surgeries, these heart surgeons also perform robotic cardiac surgeries. For patients who qualify, robotic cardiac surgery can mean significantly shorter hospitalization, faster recovery and less risk.
Robotic cardiac surgery is a form of minimally invasive heart surgery in which the surgeon utilizes a specially designed robot to perform intricate procedures through a small incision (or incisions) in the chest. The surgeon controls the robotic arms to accurately perform the procedure. Clear, 3D images of the heart are available on a computer screen that the surgeon uses while guiding the robotic arms.
Specially trained physicians at Memorial Hermann can utilize robots to perform most cardiac surgeries, including:
What Are the Benefits of Robotic Cardiac Surgery? Compared to traditional, open surgery, robotic cardiac surgery is much less invasive. You typically go home from the hospital sooner. And you can recover and return to work and normal activities more quickly. In addition, following surgery, there are minimal restrictions placed on your activities, including lifting and driving.
Who Is a Candidate for Robotic Cardiac Surgery? Your heart treatment will depend on a number of factors, including the disease to be treated and your anatomy, and prior surgical and medical histories. The surgeon will carefully evaluate you to determine the best procedure for you. If you don’t qualify for robotic surgery, you may still benefit from a host of other options, including other minimally invasive procedures, offered by the heart and vascular specialists affiliated with Memorial Hermann.
Prior to surgery, you will undergo a comprehensive cardiac assessment to determine if robotic surgery is the best option. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so you don’t feel any pain and won’t remember anything from the surgery. Following surgery, you will generally stay in the hospital for observation for two or three nights. Most patients feel back to normal within two weeks of surgery.
Any type of cardiac surgery has associated risks, including bleeding, infection, damage to the heart, development of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and stoke. But robotic surgery, as compared to traditional, open-heart surgery, can minimize some of these risks.
Robotic cardiac surgery is a complex procedure that should be trusted to an experienced, specially trained surgeon. The heart specialists affiliated with Memorial Hermann can assess your condition to determine if robotic cardiac surgery is right for you, even providing you with a second opinion.
To learn more about robotic cardiac surgery, visit Find a Doctor to schedule an appointment.
If you’d like a referral to a heart and vascular specialist or want more information about our services, please fill out the form below or call us at (713) 219-3519. For other inquiries, such as obtaining medical records, imaging reports or test results, please call (713) 222-CARE (2273).