KG Hospital performs robotic-assisted Aortic Valve Replacement

KG Hospital, one of the leading multispecialty hospitals in Coimbatore, performed India’s first ever robotic-assisted suture-less aortic valve replacement surgery recently.

This robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) performed by using advanced Da Vinci technology on a 74-year-old male patient, who was diagnosed with Aortic Valve Stenosis, was led by Dr. Arun Kumar, a renowned cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at KG hospital.

The patient was diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis (thickening and narrowing of the valve between the Heart’s main pumping chambers) two years before the surgery, however as the symptoms progressed and heavy calcification (deposition of calcium) set in, he had to undergo this rare robotic-assisted surgery.

The patient was brought in with symptoms including palpitations and exertion and was progressing to breathlessness. This brought in the risk of heart failure, which made him a high-risk patient for cardiac surgery. Over 10 percent of individuals with heart conditions have bicuspid aortic valve, which then progresses to aortic valve stenosis at the age of 50-60.

With Aortic Valve Stenosis, the patient’s working capacity had reduced to a point where exertion was causing routine palpitations. With the help of robotic-assisted surgery, the doctors were able to place a prosthetic valve with just guiding sutures.

Commenting on this complex case, Dr. Arun Kumar, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon at KG Hospital, Coimbatore said, “With the 3D dexterity and magnified imaging provided by da Vinci surgical system, we were able to safely place the valve into the aorta, without the risk of dislocation in future. One of the major risks for post-operative mortalities/ morbidities is the dislocation of the implanted valve. With robotics used, we had an additional layer of assurance and confidence that the valve was seated properly.”

“We are proud about performing this first-of-its-kind surgery, and we are delighted to have provided excellent patient care. We look forward to doing many such procedures in the future. Our aim at KG is to provide the best possible outcomes with the least amount of strain on the patient,” Dr. Arun Kumar added.

High degrees of precision, clarity with the imaging, minimized scarring and blood loss, fewer post-operative wound infections, and faster recovery are additional advantages that the robotic-assisted procedures have. Reducing the chance of infection makes it an ideal procedure for people with co-morbidities. Additionally, for robotic-assisted cardiac procedures, there is a lesser degree of rib-spreading required as compared to other forms of surgery. In many surgical procedures, robotic-assisted surgery is a less invasive method that enables patients to return to their regular lives considerably faster than open surgeries.

The RAS system allows surgeons to do procedures through a few tiny incisions. The system consists of small wrist-mounted equipment that can bend and rotate far more than a human hand, as well as a magnified 3D high-definition vision system.

About KG Hospital, Coimbatore:

With a vision to be one of the nation’s most affordable and advanced healthcare providers, KG Hospital has reached a significant milestone of 50 years, boasting 84 departments specialising in various medical disciplines. The hospital, a 500-bed facility, is also a Postgraduate Medical Institute offering the coveted DNB degree. KG Hospital has achieved over 4000 kidney transplantations, 26000 cardiac surgeries, and 1 Lakh brain surgeries. In addition to these achievements, KG Hospital has now opened its doors to new-age technologies like robotic-assisted surgery, enhancing the patient care they provide and their commitment to excellence in medical care.