Robotic Heart Surgery
If you're facing heart surgery, you have a lot of questions. Is this the right approach for you? Depending on your condition, you may have more than one surgical option. Robotic cardiac surgery is a less invasive approach that may be recommended for certain heart conditions.
Using robotic heart surgery, our surgeons can treat your heart condition with less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker return to your normal life.
Why Choose UVA Health for Robotic Heart Surgery?
At the UVA Health Heart & Vascular Institute, our skilled and compassionate heart surgeons will carefully review your condition and offer the the treatment options that are safest and most effective for your case. No matter what your condition, we can find the right treatment course for your needs.
We'll help you understand your options and answer your questions every step of the way. From your first appointment through recovery, we're here to guide and support you.
And, our cardiology and vascular teams have received several awards for our leading-edge care.
What Is Robotic Cardiac Surgery?
Robotic cardiac surgery is heart surgery done using only several small incisions (the cuts used for surgery) instead of a larger chest incision. For many procedures, this approach allows surgeons to operate without opening the breastbone or cutting or spreading the ribs.
During your procedure, your surgeon controls a robot that holds tiny tools and a camera that gives them a clear view inside of you. This technology allows your surgeon to perform delicate procedures with precision. The surgeon is always in control of the robotic system.
Robotic surgery isn't the right choice for everyone. Your care team will carefully review your condition and may recommend some tests, such as an echocardiogram or CT scan, to figure out if robotic cardiac surgery is the right approach for you. If it isn't the best option, we also offer several other surgery options that could treat your heart condition.
Conditions We Treat With Robotic Heart Surgery
Robotic cardiac surgery can be an option for certain heart procedures, including:
- Mitral valve repair or replacement
- Tricuspid valve repair
- Surgery for atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Atrial septal defect repair (a hole in the heart)
- Coronary artery bypass surgery for blocked arteries
- Removal of certain tumors or growths in the heart
Why Choose Robotic Heart Surgery?
For some patients, robotic heart surgery may offer:
- Smaller incisions and less scarring
- Less pain after surgery
- Lower risk of infection
- A shorter hospital stay
- A faster return to your normal activities
What to Expect
Your care begins with a complete review of your medical history, imaging, and test results to better understand your condition and decide the best options to treat your condition. Together, we'll discuss your treatment options, including if robotic heart surgery is right you.
If another procedure or traditional open-heart surgery is a better choice, we'll explain why and answer any questions you have. And we'll guide you every step of the way. Throughout your care, you'll have a team of specialists working together to support you before, during, and after surgery.