Advancing Minimally Invasive Cardiac Care Through Robotic Technology for Faster Recovery and Greater Precision
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (NewsVoir) • Narayana Health City Completes 100+ Robotic Cardiac Surgeries in a Single Month • Advanced robotic technology is enabling surgeons to perform complex heart procedures with unprecedented precision and minimally invasive approaches. Narayana Health City has successfully completed over 100 robotic cardiac surgeries in a single month, marking a significant milestone in advanced heart care. The achievement reflects not only exceptional surgical expertise and clinical precision, but also the seamless integration of cutting-edge robotic technology to deliver consistently strong patient outcomes across adult and paediatric cases. Among the complex procedures performed during the month was the case of a 45-year-old patient who had previously undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), commonly known as heart bypass surgery, and later presented with a tumour in the upper chamber of the heart that can obstruct blood flow if left untreated. In patients who have already undergone bypass surgery, reopening the chest through a conventional redo sternotomy can be particularly risky, as the existing grafts (blood vessels surgically connected to reroute blood around blocked arteries) may be damaged during the procedure. In this case, the patient’s earlier bypass grafts were still functioning well, making a traditional surgical approach potentially dangerous. To reduce this risk, the surgical team adopted a robotic assisted minimally invasive approach. The operation was performed through a small incision on the right side of the chest using robotic instruments and high-definition visualisation, allowing access to the heart without reopening the breastbone. Dr. Raghu M G, Senior Consultant – Cardiothoracic Surgery, said, “The patient was supported on a heart–lung machine through peripheral blood vessels, and the procedure was carried out using a specialised technique that allows the heart to temporarily quiver instead of being completely stopped using conventional clamping methods. Using robotic precision, the team accessed the left atrium and successfully removed the tumour while preserving the surrounding heart structures and valve function. The patient recovered well following the surgery and was discharged in stable condition.” Another notable case involved a 46-year-old patient whose mitral valve had become severely narrowed due to rheumatic heart disease, affecting normal blood flow through the heart. Using a robotic approach, the surgical team replaced the diseased mitral valve with a mechanical mitral valve. The advanced system provided high-definition 3D visualisation and enhanced precision, allowing the team to operate with greater control inside the heart. Dr. Thiruthani Kumaran M M, Senior Consultant – Adult Cardiac Surgery, explained, “The robotic platform provides exceptional surgical precision, allowing surgeons to operate with greater control while avoiding conventional sternotomy (traditional open-chest surgery through the breastbone). For patients, this approach can translate into less post-operative pain, reduced blood loss, quicker recovery and improved cosmetic outcomes. The procedure was completed successfully, and the patient was discharged in stable condition.” Another remarkable case involved a 69-year-old woman diagnosed with coronary artery disease along with a rare condition called dextrocardia with situs inversus, where the heart and other internal organs are positioned as a mirror image of the normal anatomy. Evaluation confirmed significant blockages in the heart’s blood vessels along with reduced heart function. Despite the anatomical complexity, the cardiac team performed a robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass surgery. The robotic platform provided enhanced visualisation and surgical precision, which was particularly important in this case because the patient’s heart was positioned on the opposite side of the chest. Robotic cardiac surgery is transforming the way we treat coronary artery disease. In a recent case involving a 57-year-old gentleman with complex coronary artery disease, our team successfully performed three bypass grafts using robotic-assisted techniques. With regards to this, Dr. Kiran K, Senior Consultant – Adult Cardiac Surgery, said, “This advanced approach enables us to treat critical blockages with high precision through very small incisions, avoiding the need for a large chest opening or cutting the breastbone. One of the major advantages of this technique is the minimalistic scar, as the surgery is performed through small keyhole incisions without cutting the bone (sternum). For patients, this translates into less pain, minimal blood loss, faster recovery, and an earlier return to normal life. With advancements in robotic technology and growing surgical expertise, we are now able to offer minimally invasive solutions even for complex coronary artery disease, while replicating the same results as a conventional CA