Innovative Robotic Mitral Valve Repair in Las Vegas, NV

Robot-assisted mitral valve surgery is a type of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The robot allows surgeons to operate through a few small incisions in the side of the chest. It also provides magnified 3-D images and uses tiny tools with far greater flexibility than a human hand. This means your surgeon can operate with more precision and control. 

Call Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals at (702) 616-4900 or Find a Doctor online to learn if you’re a candidate for this type of minimally invasive cardiac treatment.

 

When is Robotic Mitral Valve Repair Performed?

Your heart has four valves — mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary. The mitral valve separates the upper and lower chambers on the left side of your heart. Heart valves keep blood flowing through your heart. They open to allow blood to flow forward and close tightly so blood does not leak backwards into the heart.

Your doctor may recommend robot-assisted mitral valve surgery to repair or replace a diseased mitral valve. This includes: 

  • Mitral valve regurgitation, which is a leaky valve that doesn’t close properly
  • Mitral valve stenosis, which is when the valve opening becomes narrow because the valve doesn’t fully open

What to Expect From Robotic Mitral Valve Repair Surgery

A cardiac surgeon will perform your robot-assisted mitral valve surgery in a Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospital. You will have general anesthesia. Your surgeon will make several small incisions — usually less than two inches. Your surgeon inserts the robotic instruments through the incisions. The instruments copy the movements of the surgeon’s hands. The surgeon is always in control of the instruments. Generally, robot-assisted mitral valve surgery take less time than traditional surgery.

All surgeries have a risk of complications, such as reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, blood clots, and infections. With robot-assisted mitral valve surgery, it’s possible your surgeon may need to switch to another surgical technique, such as open heart surgery.

Talk with your care team about plans to minimize your risks. They also will answer your questions and address any concerns you may have about your surgery. In most cases, the benefits of robot-assisted mitral valve surgery outweigh the risks.

 

Recovering After Robotic Mitral Valve Surgery at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals

In general, the minimally invasive and highly precise nature of robot-assisted surgery results in less pain and a quicker recovery. Other benefits include:

  • Less blood loss and need for blood transfusions
  • Lower risk of infection, bleeding, and blood clots
  • Shorter hospital stays, usually three to four days, and less time in intensive care
  • Faster return to activities
  • Smaller scars

Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican offers surgical procedures for cardiology conditions, including robotic mitral valve surgery, in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.