Robotic-assisted cardiac surgery

Robotic-assisted cardiac surgery has very high success rates, matching or sometimes exceeding the results of traditional open-heart procedures. Studies and clinical experience show excellent outcomes for procedures such as mitral valve repair, coronary bypass, and atrial septal defect closure, with very low rates of complications. The combination of minimally invasive access, enhanced precision, and superior visualization allows surgeons to perform complex procedures safely and effectively, contributing to consistently positive results and high patient satisfaction.

One of the main benefits of robot-assisted cardiac surgery is that it’s no more risky than traditional open-heart surgery. Your surgeon doesn’t need to cut through the breastbone, so many complications associated with open-heart surgery can be avoided.

However, as with any heart procedure, there are potential risks. These can vary depending on your overall health, age, and your specific surgery being performed. Your consultant will review the risks with you in detail and make sure you’re fully informed before your procedure.

Potential risks include:

• Bleeding: While smaller incisions usually reduce bleeding, there is still a small risk that additional intervention could be required.
• Infection: The risk is lower than with open-heart surgery, but infections of the incision sites or deeper tissues are possible.
• Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias): Irregular heartbeats may occur after surgery and sometimes require medication or a temporary/permanent pacemaker.
• Stroke or heart attack: Surgery carries a small risk of these serious complications, but it’s rare
• Conversion to open surgery: In rare cases, your surgeon may need to convert from robotic to open surgery if complications arise or if access is limited.
• Complications related to general anaesthesia: Reactions to anaesthesia or breathing difficulties can occur, as with any major surgery.
• Damage to surrounding structures: Although robotic instruments allow precise movement, there is a small risk of injury to nearby blood vessels, nerves, or heart structures.

Despite these risks, robotic-assisted surgery is carefully planned and performed in highly specialised centres with experienced surgeons, and most patients recover more quickly and comfortably than with traditional open-heart surgery.

Our team will give you information on how to prepare for your surgery. This will include any medicines you need to take, or stop taking, before the procedure and when to stop eating and drinking. You’ll need to stop smoking as soon as possible to improve your chances of a successful recovery.

We recommend that you arrange for someone to collect you from hospital, as you won’t be able to drive. If you live alone, it’s also a good idea to have someone stay with you for the first few days you’re at home.

Everyone’s recovery is different and it depends on the type of surgery you had. As robotic-assisted heart surgery uses smaller incisions than open surgery, it tends to lead to faster recovery times. 

For example, in 2025, we were the first private healthcare provider to perform a robotic-assisted minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass. Our patient returned home just 72 hours later. 

Your consultant will be able to advise you on approximate recovery times and when you can get back to your usual routine, including work, exercise and driving. Typically, most people need two weeks or more to make a full recovery.

Your consultant may prescribe you medicines to treat any underlying conditions and recommend lifestyle changes to help maintain good heart health. These may include: 

• Stopping smoking
• Drinking alcohol in moderation
• Managing high cholesterol
• Managing high blood pressure and diabetes
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet

At HCA UK, our cardiac multidisciplinary teams include specialist nurses, physiotherapists and dietitians, who’ll be on hand to support you throughout your recovery, with personalised health and lifestyle advice. 

Robotic-assisted cardiac surgery, such as a coronary artery bypass (CABG), differs from traditional open-heart surgery in several important ways. Unlike an open sternotomy, which requires fully opening your chest and cutting through your breastbone, robotic surgery uses small incisions between your ribs. This minimally invasive approach means less blood loss, reduced tissue damage, and a lower risk of infection.

The robotic system also provides your surgeon with a high-definition, magnified 3D view of your heart, along with precise robotic arms that replicate your surgeon’s hand movements. This enhanced precision makes the procedure more controlled and accurate.

This mean a faster recovery, less pain and discomfort, minimal scarring, and a quicker return to your daily life compared with traditional bypass surgery.