James's Posts

Hi James, That's an excellent question as this can be a bit confusing. You're right in noting the distinction between "open-heart surgery" and "open-chest surgery," and it's important to clarify these terms: Robotic Aortic Valve Replacement (RAVR): This procedure is indeed considered open-heart surgery because it involves stopping the heart and using a heart-lung machine to maintain circulation while the valve is replaced. However, it is performed using minimally invasive techniques. Minimally Invasive Approach: Unlike traditional open-chest surgery, which requires a large incision through the sternum (sternotomy), robotic aortic valve replacement uses smaller incisions. The surgeon accesses the heart through these small incisions, often using robotic assistance for precision. Pericardium Access: During the procedure, the surgeon does access the heart and pericardium to remove the old valve and replace it with a new one. This is done with the heart temporarily stopped. Recovery Benefits: The minimally invasive nature of robotic surgery can lead to benefits such as reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times compared to traditional open-chest surgery. If you have more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. And, here's a video about robotic aortic valve replacement that you may want to check out - https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning/robotic-aortic-replacement/.