Cardiothoracic Surgery
da Vinci Robot Assisted Surgery

When medication and catheter-based treatments cannot relieve symptoms, surgery remains the accepted treatment for a range of cardiothoracic conditions, including, but not limited to mitral valve prolapse, atrial septal defect and coronary artery disease.

Facing either traditional cardiac surgery or open surgery to treat disorders of the organs and tissues in the chest cavity can be a frightening experience. While it may be difficult to focus on next steps, in fact, you may have several choices to make, including which hospital and which surgeon to go to, and which procedure to choose.

Surgery is generally the most effective way to treat serious disorders of the heart, lungs, and esophagus. Traditional open surgery involves making a large incision, splitting of the breastbone and spreading the ribs to access the thoracic space. While very effective, traditional open surgery leads to a lengthy recovery time of 8 to 12 weeks as well as a prolonged delay before you will return to normal daily activities.

Fortunately, less invasive options are increasingly available for patients facing cardiothoracic surgery. Many cardiothoracic surgeons are recognizing the benefits of smaller incisions made between the ribs to perform coronary bypass or make repairs to the heart or esophagus under visualization using thoracoscopy – the insertion of a miniaturized video camera between the ribs. But this approach has limitations and is not well suited to more complex cardiac procedures.

Enter the da Vinci Surgical System, providing surgeons and patients with an effective, minimally invasive treatment alternative for even the most complex cardiothoracic procedures such as mitral valve repair.

Among the benefits of da Vinci cardiothoracic surgery are a reduced risk of infection, less blood loss and need for blood transfusions, shorter hospital stay, less pain and scarring, faster recovery and a quicker return to normal activities. Additionally, surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System offers the potential for a better clinical outcome.

Learn more:
> da Vinci urologic surgery (including treatment for prostate cancer )
> da Vinci gynocelogic surgery  (including hysterectomy)
> da Vinci cardiothoracic surgery (including mitral valve repair)
> The da Vinci Surgical System at daVinciSurgery.com

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.