The team at Robotic Cardiac Surgery Institute, Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH) led by Dr.Prashant Vaijyanath Director and Chief Consultant Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery successfully performed the first successful robotic cardiac surgery in western Tamil Nadu.
The patient is a 29 year old woman who underwent ASD closure (Atrial Septal Defect) Robotically. ASD is a birth (congenital) defect and in simple terms, a hole in the wall (septum) of the heart causing the mixing of the pure and impure blood proving to be fatal later in life. The patient was operated on 9th January 2017.
A press release from this hospital stated that this surgery was supervised by Prof Jean Luc Jansens Director, Centre for Robotic Cardiac surgery CHU, Namur, Brussels, Belgium, and Mr.David James Doucglas Former Robotic Engg,Intuitive surgical – Da Vinci. Dr. Jansens is one of the world’s leading surgeons in Robotic Cardiothoracic surgery and been credited to have performed more than 1500 Robotic cardiac surgeries, the largest experience in the world.
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Speaking on the procedure, Dr. Nalla G Palanisami Chairman KMCH said, “As opposed to traditional Open Heart Surgery, Robot assisted surgery is minimally invasive. This is beneficial since it means smaller cuts (incisions) of 1-2 cms, as compared to conventional surgery (10-12 inches), lesser pain and trauma, lesser blood loss, faster recovery time and lesser scars. In fact, we will be able to send the patient home in a couple of days. The procedure becomes less daunting for old and young alike.”
Dr Nalla G Palaniswami Chairman KMCH added,” This is another feather in the cap of KMCH, so far we have done more than 30 Robotic Surgeries by our surgeons related to Urology, General and Oncology, with the advanced Da Vinci S3 Robot” He congratulated on the success of the procedure and said “this is currently the only active Robotic Cardiac Centre in the state of Tamil Nadu which is offering unique services”.
Dr.Prashant Vaijyanath, Director and Chief Consultant Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery shared that 2 successful cardiovascular surgeries has been done in these two days. The first patient was a 24 year old female, who had a small hole in a wall of the heart.The hole was closed robotically with minimum invasive procedure and the patient was shifted to the ward.The second patient was a 40-year-old male who underwent Atrial Septal Defect Closure robotically.
When questioned about the cost effectiveness, he said that, 'All robotic surgeries are done at the cost of laproscopic surgeries. And, moreover robotic surgeries require less hospital stay. Post surgery the medication too is less as compared to regular surgeries and the infection rate is also very low in robotic surgery. So its definitely cost effective and safe'.
He also revealed that, as far as the training is concerned, the doctors undergo comprehensive training to carry out this procedure. First the doctor has do it on drawings, then on animals and only then on human beings. So the risk factor is very negligible, unless the doctor is not trained and has the skill set.
Prof Jansen’s, said “Open heart surgeries require the chest to be opened to access the heart which leads to a long recovery time, blood loss, trauma and increased risk of infection and leaves a lifelong ugly scar and patients are weary of getting it done. But through Robotic assistance, we managed to reach the area through just four fingertip sized incisions. One can see just tiny incision marks from outside which will disappear with time. He is able to walk around and even return to his daily routine work within next 48 hours”.