Heart surgery is provided as a solution for many people suffering from cardiac problems worldwide. Among the plethora of different treatment approaches, two distinct approaches stand out, including robotic cardiac surgery and traditional open-heart surgery, each with its own advantages and drawbacks.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into robotic cardiac surgery and traditional open-heart surgery, highlighting the pros and cons of each so that you can understand which is suitable for you!
What Is Robotic Cardiac Surgery?
Robotic cardiac surgery, or robot-assisted heart surgery, is a minimally invasive surgery in which the surgeon uses the equipment and surgical tools attached to the robotic arms to perform the cardiac surgery. The surgeon makes a thin incision and accesses the heart to perform the surgery.
The different cardiac surgeries that can be performed assisted by robots are
- Mitral valve replacement
- Coronary artery bypass grafting
- Atrial fibrillation ablation
- ASD closure
- Removal of benign tumors
How Is Robotic Heart Surgery Performed?
- The surgeon gives anesthesia and makes tiny four incisions between your ribs known as working ports.
- The surgical tools are connected to the robotic arms and a camera is inserted through these ports.
- The surgeon will control the instruments with his hands at the computer console and camera with his feet on foot pedals and guide the tools to your heart.
- Then the surgery is usually performed.
- After the surgery, the surgeon removes all the tools and closes the incision with small sutures.
Benefits of Robotic Cardiac Surgery
The different benefits of robotic cardiac surgery are
- Small incisions cause less pain and less bleeding
- Enhanced precision
- Reduced risk of infection
- Less post-surgical complication and less scarring
- Shorter hospital stays about 3-4 days and faster recovery
- Lesser requirement of painkillers
Complications and Risks of Robotic Cardiac Surgery
The risks and complications associated with robotic cardiac surgery are
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Arrhythmias or irregular heartbeat
- Longer surgical time due to the intricacies of the procedure.
Sometimes, the surgeon may switch to open-heart surgery if the medical condition of the patient requires it. It may not be suitable for all cardiac conditions and treating all cardiac patients. Also, specialized training is required among the surgeons for performing the surgery.
What Is Traditional Open Heart Surgery?
Traditional open heart surgery has been a fundamental approach in cardiac treatment for many decades. It is often done to perform coronary artery bypass grafts and treat conditions related to coronary arteries. It involves the making of a large incision to access the heart.
The different conditions that can be treated using traditional open-heart surgery are
- Aneurysms
- Congenital heart disease
- Heart valve disease
- Coronary heart disease
- Arrhythmias
- Heart failure
How Is Open-Heart Surgery Performed?
- The surgeon gives general anesthesia and creates an 8-10-inch incision in the chest.
- The surgeon slices all or part of the breastbone to expose the heart.
- You may be attached to a heart-lung bypass machine if required to divert the blood flow from the heart, allowing the surgeon to operate.
- The surgeon may create a new path around the obstructed artery using a healthy vein or artery.
- The surgeon will take the heart-lung machine, use the wire to seal the breastbone, and then the incision site is sutured.
Benefits of Open Heart Surgery
- Surgeons can treat several conditions that can not be treated by minimally invasive procedures.
- Allows the surgeon to directly view the heart making it easier to handle complex cases
- Traditional cardiac surgery has been refined over years resulting in established protocols and verified results.
- Widely available in most hospitals, and provides a durable solution for heart problems.
Complications and Risks of Open Heart Surgery
The risks associated with open heart surgery are
- Infection at the incision site
- Stroke, arrhythmias
- Excessive loss of blood
- Blood clot
- Sometimes difficulty in breathing and memory loss
- More pain after surgery and may require stronger pain management
- Longer hospital stays and recovery period
Robotic Cardiac Surgery Vs Traditional Open Heart Surgery: Key Differences
When it comes to choosing between robotic cardiac surgery and traditional open heart surgery, the surgeon will consider depending on several factors, including current health condition, age, gender, and severity of heart condition.
| Robotic Cardiac Surgery | Traditional Open Heart Surgery | |
| Incision | Smaller incisions | Larger 8-10 inch incision |
| Visualization | Tiny 3D magnified view using a camera | Direct visual access to the heart |
| Precision | High precision as robotic arms are controlled by the surgeon | Surgeon uses hands for handling instruments |
| Recovery time | Faster recovery, shorter hospital stay. Quicker return to normal activities | Longer recovery periods and longer hospital stays depending on the complication. Takes time to return to normal activities |
| Blood loss | Less blood loss | Greater blood loss due to large incision |
| Pain and Discomfort | Less pain | More pain and discomfort. Requires more pain management |
| Risk Of Infection | Less risk of infection | Higher risk of infection and more scarring |
| Hospital stay | Shorter hospital stay | Longer hospital stay |
| Cost | Higher due to robotic technology and equipment | Lower cost depending on the procedure |
| Procedure duration | May take a longer time to setup | Generally faster depending on the surgeon’s expertise |
| Patient Satisfaction | Higher satisfaction due to reduced pain and recovery time | Patient satisfaction is good but may vary |
Table: Comparison between Robotic cardiac surgery and Open-heart surgery
Cost of Robotic Cardiac Surgery or Traditional Open Heart Surgery
The average cost of robotic cardiac surgery in India may vary between INR 3,00,000-10,00,000, whereas the cost of open heart surgery may vary between 1,00,000-5,00,000. The cost may vary depending on
- Patient’s condition
- Pre-operative costs, including diagnostic tests
- Location of the hospital
- Surgeon’s expertise
- Post-operative care, including routine check-ups and lifestyle modification
Robotic cardiac surgery is typically more expensive due to robotic technology, specialized training, and longer operating time. It is recommended to discuss with your healthcare professional for costs and benefits of heart surgery.
Recovery Time and Post-Surgery Care
The recovery in the hospital after robotic surgery tends to be faster due to smaller incisions and less trauma. Most patients may require a shorter hospital stay for about 3-5 days after the robotic cardiac surgery compared to open-heart surgery.
After robotic heart surgery, it takes about two to four weeks to resume regular activities, but after open-heart surgery, a person may require 3-6 months or longer, depending on the complexity of the surgery.
Pain after robotic surgery is usually less intense than after open-heart surgery. The small incisions tend to heal faster compared to scars after open-heart surgery. Both surgeries involve wound care, gradual physical activity, and cardiac rehabilitation.
Conclusion
Both robotic cardiac surgery and traditional open-heart surgery are effective in treating heart conditions, but they differ in their approach. The choice between the two may depend on the patient’s condition, the surgeon’s expertise, and the available technology.
Patients considering heart surgery should discuss with healthcare professionals to help determine the suitable approach for them.Do you want to consult experienced heart specialists in Chennai to help you make informed decisions about cardiac surgeries, you may book an appointment with Heart360 Care today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Robotic cardiac surgery offers several advantages, including less invasiveness, faster recovery, and lower complication rates. However, whether it is safer than traditional open-heart surgery depends on the complexity of the surgery, the experience of the surgeon with robotic systems, and the patient’s overall health condition.
Not everyone is a good candidate for robotic heart surgery. Those who have complex heart issues, those who have unique heart abnormalities, or have had a previous surgery requiring an incision on the right chest may not be a suitable candidate. It is recommended to discuss this with your healthcare professional.
The choice between open heart surgery and robotic heart surgery is made in consultation with the cardiologist. The surgeon may decide depending on specific medical conditions, complexity of heart issues, and overall health condition.
Robotic cardiac surgery may leave a visible scar, but it is much smaller and less noticeable compared to scars from traditional open-heart surgery. The fading of the scars may vary depending on the healing process, the surgeon’s technique, and how well you care after surgery.
Yes, robotic cardiac surgery can be more expensive than traditional open-heart surgery. It may be due to the higher costs involving technology and equipment, operating costs, longer operating time, surgeon’s expertise, and hospital stay.
