Chennai doctors perform robotics cardiac surgery on oldest patient in India

Chennai: A robotics cardiac surgery was performed on the oldest patient in India at a private hospital in Chennai recently. A 93-year-old patient underwent the Robot-assisted Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).

Robotic cardiac surgery is a less invasive method that allows patients to return to their daily lives considerably more quickly than open-heart surgery.

Dr MM Yusuf, Consultant Cardiothoracic surgeon at Apollo Hospitals led a team of doctors to perform robotic assist CABG. Doctors say that robotics offer greater vision, precision, accuracy, and control. On the other hand, patients will have less discomfort, fewer post-operative wound infections, less scarring, improved respiration and faster recovery.

The patient was diabetic and not suitable for open surgery and would have been left with no definitive treatment options if robotic surgery was not available. Dr MM Yusuf said that minimally invasive cardiac surgery avoids sternal split and aids quick recovery. Robotic assist CABG is the least invasive cardiac surgery procedure available now.

"This surgery involves making tiny holes in the chest cavity through which surgery is performed with the help of Davinci Robotic system. Most patients do not have any cut in the legs since the 2 arteries in the chest wall are used to perform the bypass surgery," he said.

In patients with multiple comorbidities, robotics assisted procedures are preferred. He added that since patients have little blood loss, the pain and recovery is quick. Hospital stay is usually 2 to 3 days and return to full normal activitiy is 2 to 3 weeks as opposed to 3 months or more with open CABG. This unique procedure is performed in very few centres across the globe.”