Surgical Revolution: Heart Surgery with Robot

Robotic cardiac surgery, which has entered our lives through the Da Vinci robot, is producing highly successful results in the treatment of childhood heart disease. Operations performed without opening the breastbone allow children to escape the trauma of undergoing major surgery and avoid cosmetic-related problems they would face in the future, as they do not bear large surgical scars on their bodies. Prof. Dr. İhsan Bakır, Specialist in Robotic Cardiac Surgery at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Istanbul University Istanbul Medical Faculty, noted that robotic operations, which have begun to be frequently preferred in cardiac surgery in our country, have many advantages due to both patient comfort and particularly positive outcomes in pediatric cases. He stated: "Through operations performed via small incisions without opening the rib cage, patients recover in a shorter time with less pain. Additionally, there is no surgical scar. It is particularly advantageous in pediatric patients. The child returns to school life in a short time." Bakır noted that Tuğçe Akşahin (17), who regained her health through robotic cardiac surgery at age 14, returned to normal life within a week and did not remain away from school for long periods, thus her education was not negatively affected.

Psychological Impact Is Very Important

Robotic cardiac surgery is most frequently used in coronary heart disease and bypass surgery. It is possible to perform bypass surgery on one or two vessels using robotic surgery. Prof. Dr. İhsan Bakır, Specialist in Robotic Cardiac Surgery, stated: "Three different robot versions have been developed in this field. Currently, Da Vinci is most widely used. It was developed to enable remote treatment of astronauts traveling to space." Prof. Dr. Bakır explained the advantages of robotic cardiac surgery, which enables major cardiac operations through smaller incisions, as follows: "Why do we focus more on minimal incision? Patient comfort, recovery time, cosmetic concerns, reduced pain, reduced intensive care stay to one day, and hospital stay reduced to three days; the patient being able to use their vehicle to go home after leaving the operating room are among the main reasons. During surgery, we see a three-dimensional view by magnifying the area 20 times. This reduces the chance of error. Reduced hospital stay and hospital infection also lower healthcare costs. Instead of one to ten days, you can discharge a patient in three days. The psychological impact is very important. The patient does not feel like they have undergone major surgery. They forget about the operation."

Works True Miracles in Mitral Valve Repair

Prof. Dr. İhsan Bakır noted that robotic cardiac surgery can be easily used for mitral valve repair and replacement, tricuspid valve repair and replacement, closure of ASD, a congenital heart defect between the left and right atria, and removal of tumors located in the heart. Robotic surgery works true miracles in mitral valve repair. It can be used in adults and children over 40 kilograms for ASD (atrial septal defect—heart hole) and VSD (ventricular septal defect—heart hole) in appropriate cases.

Tuğçe Is One of 30-40 Cases in the World Operated on with the Robot

17-year-old Anadolu High School student Tuğçe Akşahin is one of these patients. Until age 14, Tuğçe did not know she had heart disease. Through the 'online cardiac screening in schools' project, her heart condition was discovered by chance. Tuğçe went for examination at the hospital that conducted school screenings, underwent echocardiography, and various tests. Tuğçe actually had a life-threatening heart condition. She was born with both a one-centimeter-sized hole called Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) in her heart and a vascular disorder called Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return. Her family visited 4-5 hospitals and was told she needed to undergo major heart surgery. One week before surgery, by chance again, it was discovered that she could be treated much more easily with robotic surgery. The Akşahin family decided against open-heart surgery at the last moment and entrusted their daughter's health to Prof. Dr. İhsan Bakır. Tuğçe underwent surgery on 14 July 2016; with only 1.5-centimeter incisions, "without opening the breastbone," she regained her health through surgery performed with the Da Vinci robot. Prof. Dr. Bakır stated: "Tuğçe had two congenital anomalies at once, which is very rare. Her weight was suitable for robotic surgery. We can perform robotic surgery in children over 40 kilograms. For those years, Tuğçe is one of 30-40 cases in the world operated on with the robot."