da Vinci Surgery
 

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

Doctors often recommend surgery to treat heart disorders and diseases. Traditional open heart surgery requires exposure of the heart and its vessels through sternotomy (splitting of the breastbone), considered one of the most invasive and traumatic aspects of open heart surgery. 

Many surgeons now recognize the benefits of minimally invasive surgery for cardiac conditions. Surgeons access the heart using small incisions through the ribs. Specialized instruments are used, including a thoracoscopy – miniature camera to view the chest cavity. Procedures are performed without separating the breastbone and ribcage, or stopping the heart during surgery. Because it relies on traditional surgical technology, this approach has limitations and is often not appropriate for more complex cardiac procedures.

Fortunately, there is a minimally invasive option designed to overcome the limits of traditional surgery – da Vinci® Surgery. da Vinci is used by surgeons around the world to treat common cardiac conditions such as mitral valve repair, atrial septal defect and coronary artery bypass.

da Vinci® Surgery for Cardiac Conditions

If your doctor recommends surgery to treat a cardiac condition, you may be a candidate for da Vinci Surgery. Using state-of-the-art technology, da Vinci Surgery requires only a few tiny incisions - splitting your breastbone and ribcage is avoided. The da Vinci System enables your doctor to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control. da Vinci’s 3D, high-definition vision system allows surgeons to see key anatomy with immense depth and clarity - critical for complex conditions.

Compared to traditional open surgery,minimally invasive da Vinci Surgery provides the following potential benefits to cardiac patients:

  • Lower risk of major cardiac event during first year after surgery1
  • Less blood loss and need for blood transfusions1,2
  • Less time in intensive care1,3
  • Lower rate of major complications1
  • Shorter hospital stay1,2,3,4,5,6
  • Faster recovery and return to normal daily activities1,3

da Vinci Surgery provides additional potential benefits to patients facing cardiac surgery:

  • High likelihood of your mitral valve being repaired versus replaced7
  • No large incision or rib spreading (sternotomy)7

The da Vinci System is a state-of-the-art robotic surgical platform with 3D, high-definition vision and miniaturized, wristed instruments designed to help doctors take surgery beyond the limits of the human hand. Your doctor controls the da Vinci System which translates his/her hand movements into more precise movements of miniaturized instruments inside your body.

By helping doctors to overcome the challenges of traditional surgery, da Vinci is changing the experience of surgery for people around the world.

If you have been putting off treatment for a heart condition, it's time to ask your doctor about da Vinci Surgery.

To find a da Vinci cardiac surgeon, use our surgeon locator.

Learn more about da Vinci Surgery for Cardiac Conditions.

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is specific to each patient and procedure. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation.

  1. Poston RS, Tran R, Collins M, Reynolds M, Connerney I, Reicher B, Zimrin D, Griffith BP, Bartlett ST. Comparison of economic and patient outcomes with minimally invasive versus traditional off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting techniques. Ann Surg. 2008 Oct;248(4):638-46.
  2. Woo YJ, Nacke EA. Robotic minimally invasive mitral valve reconstruction yields less blood product transfusion and shorter length of stay. Surgery 2006;140(2):263-67.
  3. Kam JK, Cooray SD, Kam JK, Smith JA, Almeida AA. A cost-analysis study of robotic versus conventional mitral valve repair. Heart Lung Circ. 2010 Jul;19(7):413-8. Epub 2010 Mar 30.
  4. Folliguet T, Vanhuyse F, Constantino X, Realli M, Laborde F. Mitral valve repair robotic versus sternotomy. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2006 Mar;29(3):362-6. Epub 2006 Jan 19.
  5. Mihaljevic T, Jarrett CM, Gillinov AM, Williams SJ, DeVilliers PA, Stewart WJ, Svensson LG, Sabik JF 3rd, Blackstone EH. Robotic repair of posterior mitral valve prolapse versus conventional approaches: potential realized. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2011 Jan;141(1):72-80.e1-4. Epub 2010 Nov 19.
  6. Felger JE, Chitwood WR Jr, Nifong LW, Holbert D. Evolution of mitral valve surgery: toward a totally endoscopic approach. Ann Thorac Surg. 2001 Oct;72(4):1203-8; discussion 1208-9.
  7. Murphy D, Smith JM, Siwek L, Langford DA, Robinson JR, Reynolds B, Kreaden US and Engel A. Multicenter mitral valve study: a lateral approach using the da Vinci Surgical System. Innovations, 2007; 2:56-61.

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci Surgical System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. There are no guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual; it may not be applicable to your condition. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine whether da Vinci Surgery is appropriate for your situation. The clinical information and opinions, including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by patients or doctor about da Vinci Surgery are not necessarily those of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and should not be considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your doctor. All people depicted unless otherwise noted are models.  © 2012 Intuitive Surgical. All rights reserved. Intuitive, Intuitive Surgical, da Vinci, da Vinci S, da Vinci Si, Single-Site,  InSite, TilePro and EndoWrist are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intuitive Surgical. All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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