Surgeons In the News

Robotic Cardiac Surgery Study Shows Improved Recovery Time and Quality of Life

Michael Argenziano, MD
Director, Robotic Cardiac Surgery

Initial findings of a study to investigate the benefits of robotically assisted open-heart surgery show that patients experience quicker recovery times, less postoperative pain, and improved social functioning than those having traditional open-heart surgery. The study findings were presented by Michael Argenziano, MD, Director of Robotic Cardiac Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center, at the American Heart Association's annual scientific meeting in Chicago in November 2002.

"We've seen dramatic improvements in hospital stay and recovery time," Dr. Argenziano said. "Also, patients experienced comparative improved social functions and less pain postoperatively."

The study focused on patients having robotically assisted cardiac surgery to repair an atrial septal defect (ASD). Dr. Argenziano performed the first ASD repair without opening the chest in July 2001. Since then, 17 patients have undergone this procedure, with the surgeon controlling robotic arms from a viewing console several feet away from the patient. Instead of making a large incision, the robot's instruments and camera are inserted through four small holes in the patient's chest. The robot used in the procedures, the Intuitive Surgical da Vinci System, has Food and Drug Administration approval for a number of clinical trials in heart surgery.

ASD is characterized by an abnormal opening between the two upper chambers of the heart. Untreated, ASD can result in pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, atrial arrhythmias, and increased risk of stroke. The condition is found in four out of every 100,000 people.

Preliminary results show that on average, patients stayed in the hospital two to four days less and returned to work 50 percent faster than those having the open procedure. The 17 patients in the study had no cardiac complications. In 16 cases (94 percent) imaging tests confirmed that the defect had been closed successfully. One patient required a repair five days later.

Earlier this year, Dr. Argenziano performed the first robot-assisted, closed chest coronary artery bypass surgery in the U.S. as the lead investigator of another FDA-sanctioned trial.