Center for Robotic Surgery

• About Robotics
• What is Robotic Surgery?
• Robotic Procedures
• Cardiac
• Atrial Septal Defect
• Mitral Valve Disease
• Cardial Tumors (Atrial Myxoma and Thombi)
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Aortic Valve Repair
• Other
• Myasthenia Gravis (Thymectomy)

Aortic Valve Repair

Aortic Valve Disease is the most common Valvular Heart Disease in the US populations. The valve becomes wither stenotic (or blocked) or begins to leak. Aortic Valve Repais is almost always not possible and most valves require replacement. The typical approach is thru a mid chest sternotomy or sternal splitting operation which requires a 2 to 3 month convalescence.

We have developed an operation to replace the Aortic Valve which does not require any sternal division.  Instead we use a 2 inch incision between the ribs in the right, upper chest.

The advantages of this operation are the following:

• A shorter recovery, typically 2 to 3 weeks as opposed to 2 to 3 months
• Less blood loss and fewer transfusions
• Decreased risk of infection

Most patients with isolated Aortic Valve Disease are candidates for this procedure.