Robotic Cardiothoracic Surgery

The tiny machines used in robotic cardiothoracic surgery move easily within the heart, snipping and suturing with precision. For the patient, robotic surgery might mean decreased risk of infection, less pain and shorter hospital stays.

History

• Surgeons first used robotic cardiothoracic surgery at NYU Medical Center in 2000 to repair a patient's heart valve. Doctors have since used robots for coronary artery bypass, to treat irregular heart rhythms, to repair heart defects and to implant devices to improve heart function.

The Equipment

• The robotic surgery system includes a surgical cart that houses the robotic "arms and hands," and a surgeon's console that contains hand controls for the robot and imaging equipment that provides detailed pictures of the heart and surrounding structures.

The Robot

• Designed to enhance rather than replace a surgeon's skill, the three-armed robot receives commands and performs surgery as indicated by movements of the surgeon's hand control. Surgeons typically insert the instruments used by the robot through small, fingertip-size incisions between the ribs.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago Medical Center lists shorter hospital stays, smaller incisions resulting in less scarring and pain, minimal blood loss and elimination of the need to "crack" the breast bone to expose the heart as a few reasons to choose robotic over traditional cardiac surgery.

Future

• Surgeons at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford are researching voice-activated robotic surgery that would make it possible for a surgeon in California to perform robotic surgical procedures on patients who are miles away.