Print Overview Robot-assisted heart surgery Enlarge image Close Robot-assisted heart surgery Robot-assisted heart surgery During robot-assisted heart surgery, robotic arms use small, precise movements to perform the surgery. A surgeon controls the robotic arms from a nearby computer station. Robotic surgery, also called robot-assisted surgery, allows doctors to perform many types of complex procedures with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with conventional techniques. Robotic surgery is usually associated with minimally invasive surgery — procedures performed through tiny incisions. It is also sometimes used in certain traditional open surgical procedures. The most widely used clinical robotic surgical system includes a camera arm and mechanical arms with surgical instruments attached to them. The surgeon controls the arms while seated at a computer console near the operating table. The console gives the surgeon a high-definition, magnified, 3D view of the surgical site. The surgeon leads other team members who assist during the operation.Products & ServicesSign up for Email: Get Your Free Resource – Coping with Cancer Why it's doneSurgeons who use the robotic system find that for many procedures it enhances precision, flexibility and control during the operation and allows them to better see the site, compared with traditional techniques. Using robotic surgery, surgeons can perform delicate and complex procedures that may be difficult or impossible with other methods. Often, robotic surgery makes minimally invasive surgery possible. The benefits of minimally invasive surgery include: Fewer complications, such as surgical site infection Less pain and blood loss Shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery Smaller, less noticeable scars RisksRobotic surgery involves risk, some of which may be similar to risks of conventional open surgery, such as a small risk of infection and other complications. Is robotic surgery right for you?Robotic surgery isn't an option for everyone. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of robotic surgery and how it compares with other techniques, such as other types of minimally invasive surgery and conventional open surgery. Robotic surgery may not be available at medical centers in your geographic location. Clinical trials Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. By Mayo Clinic Staff Robotic surgery care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Doctors & Departments May 06, 2022 Print Show references Paraiso MFR, et al. Robot-assisted laparoscopy. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 17, 2022. Garbarino GM, et al. Robotic versus open oncological gastric surgery in the elderly: A propensity score‑matched analysis. Journal of Robotic Surgery. 2021; doi:10.1007/s11701-020-01168-2. Terra RM, et al. Global status of the robotic thoracic surgery. Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2021; doi:10.21037/jtd-19-3271. Jensen NA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Oct. 15, 2021. 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