Is robotic heart surgery really better than traditional open surgery?

Robotic surgery uses small ports instead of a large incision. For select operations such as isolated mitral valve repair, single-vessel bypass, or some atrial procedures, recovery can be quicker - 3-4 weeks instead of 8-12.

However, most heart surgery worldwide is still performed through a sternotomy. Complex multi-valve cases, redo operations, and diffuse coronary disease require traditional access for safety and visibility.

Outcomes for robotic surgery match sternotomy when performed by surgeons with very high robotic case volumes. Because only a small number of surgeons worldwide specialize in this, it’s critical to ask about your surgeon’s experience before choosing this route.