This animation shows how a robotic mitral valve repair procedure is performed.

Some valve problems are treated with the assistance of the da Vinci Surgical System, a sophisticated robotic device. Procedures performed with the da Vinci system are done through four to five fingertip-size slits at the side of the chest.
Unlike traditional mitral valve repair surgery in which the sternum is cut and spread open, in a minimally invasive robotic mitral valve procedure, the surgeon manipulates a highly advanced robotic tool and makes only tiny incisions.

The robotic arms are inserted through the side of the chest, which is even closer to the heart than if we opened the sternum. We make keyhole incisions for the surgical arms, camera and access tube. The tiny camera provides a view of the diseased valve. We see that the valve is oversized, misshapen and doesn't close properly, which allows blood to leak backwards. We remove the misshapen portion of the valve, and reconstruct it with sutures. We insert an artificial ring to reduce its size. We sew the ring into place, and the valve now closes properly, so blood no longer leaks back.

After the procedure, only a few dime-sized scars remain, instead of the six- to eight-inch scar in the middle of the chest associated with open-heart surgery.

Featuring: Valluvan Jeevanandam, MD, Professor and Chief, Section of Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery, University of Chicago
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