Robotic Surgery or Minimally Invasive Surgery? What Are the Differences?

Among heart operations performed through a small incision, the two concepts most often confused are “minimally invasive” and “robotic” surgery. In this article I will describe the real difference between the two and compare them in terms of cost and process.

What Is Robotic Heart Surgery?

In robotic surgery the surgeon works through openings (ports) of a few centimetres made in the chest, by means of robotic arms controlled from a console; the robot arms transmit the surgeon’s hand movements into the heart with a precision that is magnified, free of tremor and able to rotate like a wrist. The image is three-dimensional and highly magnified, which provides extra precision especially in valve repair.

Differences in Cost and Process Between Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery

While in the standard minimally invasive (mini thoracotomy) method the surgeon works directly through the small incision with special long-shafted instruments, in the robotic method the robot system comes in between; this means additional equipment, additional training and higher cost. Operating time in the robotic method may be somewhat longer than in the standard minimally invasive method, especially at the start of the learning curve; as experience increases, this difference decreases.

Which Method Is Safer?

Current reviews show that the robotic and standard minimally invasive methods give results close to one another in terms of mortality and major complication rates, and comparable to classic open surgery. What is truly decisive is not so much which method is used, but the experience of that centre and that surgeon with that technique; both techniques can be applied safely in experienced hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is robotic surgery more expensive? Yes, because of the cost of the additional equipment and technology, robotic operations are generally more costly than the standard minimally invasive method.

Can robotic surgery be performed in every centre? No; it requires a robotic system and a team that has received special training in this field, and for this reason it is performed in a limited number of centres.

Which method should I choose? This decision should be assessed together, according to the complexity of your valve pathology, the experience of the centre and the available technological infrastructure.

Conclusion

Robotic and standard minimally invasive surgery are two different techniques, both aiming to work without touching the breastbone and with safety close to one another. The choice is made according to the patient’s anatomy, the valve pathology and the centre’s experience with these techniques.

You can book an appointment so that we can assess which minimally invasive technique is suitable for your valve surgery.

References

1. Chitwood WR Jr. Robotic Mitral Valve Surgery: Overview, Methodology, Results, and Perspective. Ann Cardiothorac Surg. 2016;5(6):544-555.
2. Modi P, Hassan A, Chitwood WR Jr. Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2008;34(5):943-952.