Your Robotic Bypass Surgery: What To Expect and FAQs

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When a person has severe blockage in their left anterior descending (LAD) artery, they’re at high risk for a major heart attack.

For some patients, the traditional treatment of open-heart surgery (a sternotomy) can be avoided, and a robotic-assisted, minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (MIDCAB) can be performed instead.

Advantages of MIDCAB surgery:

Less pain
Less bleeding
Less scarring
Faster recovery

Before Your Surgery

You’ll meet our team to understand your candidacy for robotic heart surgery. We’ll ask about your symptoms and risk factors, like prior open heart surgery or unfavorable chest anatomy.

We’ll review your medications to determine if any need to be held prior to surgery. We may do other tests (if not already done):

Echo: an ultrasound of the heart
Preadmission testing: this includes blood work (no fasting required), chest x-ray, EKG, and urine tests

The Operation

The surgery consists of two small incisions between the ribs on the left side of the chest to access the heart. The arms of the robot pass through these small ports operating with great dexterity and precision.

During the procedure, we will take an artery from the chest, either directly or via a surgical robot, and we’ll stitch this artery to your coronary arteries.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia.

After Your Surgery

It is common to be moved out of the ICU and into a regular hospital room the next day. You will typically stay in the hospital for 3-4 days.

You can return to work, driving, and resume heavy lifting 2 weeks after your surgery.

Robotic Bypass Surgery FAQs

Q: Who is eligible for MIDCAB surgery?

MIDCAB surgery may be appropriate for 1) People with single-vessel disease of the LAD in need of a more durable solution than non-surgical options (ie younger patients), 2) People with multi-vessel disease, as part of a hybrid revascularization strategy, 3) People with multi-vessel disease with non-viable myocardium in territories other than the LAD

Q: What is the recovery time for MIDCAB surgery?

You may be able to leave the hospital 2 or 3 days after your surgery and return to normal activities after 2 or 3 weeks.

Q: What advantages does robotic heart surgery have over traditional approaches?

With a robotic approach, surgeons don’t have to cut through the breastbone. Instead, we slip instruments through small incisions between the ribs. This reduces the risk of post-surgical complications like infections and blood loss, dramatically reduces scarring, requires shorter hospital stays and allows for a much faster return to normal day-to-day activities.

Q: What does the surgical incision look like?

The surgeon makes a keyhole opening to access the heart by making a small incision on the left side of the chest and opening a small area between the ribs.

Q: What are the risks of MIDCAB robotic heart surgery?

Like any surgery, a minimally invasive approach has some risks, most of which are also risks in traditional open-heart surgery. These can include complications such as bleeding, infection, stroke and arrhythmias, or an irregular heartbeat. In general, however, the risk of these complications is lower in a robot-assisted or minimally invasive surgery than in a traditional open-heart surgery.

Q: Is robotic MIDCAB surgery covered by insurance?

Yes.

Need a Robotic Bypass Surgeon?

At NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, our cardiac surgeons are world-leaders in robotic bypass surgery.

If you or a loved one want our experts on your side, call (212) 305-2633 or use our appointment request form.

Resources

Heart Surgery Guides: What to Expect

Procedural Guides: What to Expect and FAQs

This content has been created by Columbia’s Health Guide Team. Learn more about our efforts to bring you the clearest, most accurate, and most human health resources available.