Heart Surgery Re-imagined.

Robot-assisted heart surgery is a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery.

Open heart surgery is a lifesaving procedure.

The most common type of heart surgery.

• Surgeons open the chest to directly access the heart
• Large incision, roughly 6-8 inches
• Breastbone is split

Robot-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive alternative.

Performs the exact same surgical maneuvers.

• Surgeons access the heart using thin, robotic arms
• Small incisions, roughly 2 inches
• Operate between ribs and muscles

Advantage of robot-assisted heart surgery

• Reduced trauma and pain
• Less blood loss
• Lower infection risk
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster return to activity
• Smaller, less noticeable scars

Although complications are rare, there are risks involved with any surgery, including bleeding, stroke and wound infection.

Comparison of incision size

• Minimally invasive surgery
• 2 inches or less

• Traditional open heart surgery
• 6-8 inches

Surgeons perform precise surgical movements from a remote console.

• A high-definition camera provides an up-close view of the heart.
• Two robotic arms translate the movements of the surgeon's hands and wrists, with precise range of motion.
• The surgeon views the procedure through a high-definition 3D monitor.
• A second surgeon assists from the operating table, switching tools and assuring safe movement of the robotic arms.

Produced by Mayo Clinic. Source: mayoclinic.org