Robot-aided cardiac surgery for the first time in India

Hyderabad, Oct 8: CARE, the Institute of Medical Sciences, has successfully performed what is claimed to be the first Robot-Assisted Mitral Valve Replacement in the country, on a cardiac patient here.

Addressing the press, Dr Ravi Kumar, cardiothoracic surgeon, said robotic-assisted mitral valve replacement was done after a small incision on the side of the patient's chest.

Using the advantages of robotics, which provided excellent visualization and greater precision, Dr Kumar said the technique was much better than traditional surgery.

Robotic surgery had less chances of infection and less blood transfusion and was aesthetically appealing. There was no need to cut through the sternum as in traditional open heart surgery.

Stating that the equipment cost was around Rs seven crore, the doctor said it would also be utilized for other heart surgeries, urological disorders and gynaecological treatment.

So far, robotic surgery had been performed on four cardiac patients in CARE hospital, he added.

UNI