Mitral Valve Surgery

The mitral valve is a complex structure that controls blood flow through the left side of the heart. When open, the mitral valve allows blood to flow into the heart's main pumping chamber, the left ventricle. When the left ventricle contracts to push blood through the body, the mitral valve closes to prevent blood from flowing back toward the lungs.  Sometimes the mitral valve is abnormal from birth or becomes damaged by infection. More often, mitral valve structures become damaged with age or from coronary artery disease.

Whatever the cause, an abnormal or damaged mitral valve cannot completely seal the heart's left ventricle. With an incomplete seal, blood can escape the left ventricle and flow backwards through the mitral valve. This conflicting force can make the heart work harder, leading to further mitral valve damage and other potential complications such as congestive heart failure.

Traditional Open Surgery

Surgical repair of the mitral valve involves delicate reconstruction of native valve tissues in order to restore proper function. The most common approach to repair requires the surgeon to "open the chest" with an 8 to 10" incision, saw through the breastbone and spread the ribs - to gain direct access to the heart. This process

can prolong healing time, increase risk of infection and expose the patient to serious complications.

Robotic-Assisted Surgery

With the da Vinci Surgical System, surgery is performed without opening the chest, by way of several tiny (1-2 cm) incisions. State-of-the-art surgical instruments, connected to robotic arms, are passed through the incisions to access the surgical site. The robotic arms are totally controlled by the surgeon and provide superior visualization, enhanced dexterity, increased precision and ergonomic comfort.

For most patients, robotic-assisted surgery offers substantial benefits, including:

• Shorter hospital stays
• Less pain
• Smaller incisions and less scarring
• Less risk of infection
• Less blood loss and fewer transfusions
• Faster recovery
• Quicker return to everyday activities

To learn more about robotic-assisted surgery, see the frequently asked questions section of this web site. To inquire about specific services, please click here or call our Second Opinion Program at 888-973-2663.