Heart surgery is also minimally invasive: The world's first cervical incision flap replacement surgery, with less bleeding throughout the process than tooth extraction

Now, when replacing heart valves, there's no need to split the chest bone! In the future, having a heart valve surgery might be as simple as getting an injection - no need to saw the sternum, no need to stay in the ICU. It's just like having a thyroid surgery, where a 3-centimeter cut is made on the neck and a robot just inserts in to finish the job.

The mechanical arm of the CoreVista robot precisely delivers the Perceval Plus valve, a self-expanding sutured valve, to the heart position. The total amount of bleeding throughout the process is less than that of a tooth extraction. The patient can get out of bed and walk around six hours after the operation! One can even go home on the same day.

This is the world's first AVATAR surgery that the Cleveland Clinic has just performed.

In the past, to replace a heart valve, the sternum had to be sawed open by 20cm or at least 10cm. Now, all that is needed is to make a small 3-cm incision in the neck crease through the cervical approach.

The traditional valve replacement involves a median sternotomy, with an incision of at least 10 centimeters. After the operation, the patient is in so much pain that they dare not breathe. The TAVR technique that emerged later, namely transcatheter aortic valve replacement, although minimally invasive, is only suitable for specific patients. This time it's called RAVR, robot-assisted aortic valve replacement surgery. A keyhole-sized incision is made directly beside the carotid artery in the neck.

The CoreVista robot platform is like installing an "anti-shake telescope" for doctors, capable of filtering out hand tremors and performing fine tasks such as threading needles in blood vessels with an accuracy of 0.1 millimeters. The Perceval Plus valve, on the other hand, can automatically open like an umbrella and complete the implantation in just 8 minutes. The traditional method requires 30 stitches and takes half an hour. The CEO of Corcym said that this combination is like "a smartphone meeting a touchscreen".

Just like repairing water pipes, in the past, one had to break down the wall, but now a mechanical hand can be inserted through the inspection opening. The chief surgeon sat in front of the control console, operating the mechanical arm of the CoreVista robot to precisely deliver a self-expanding biological valve, the Perceval Plus valve, into place.

The most amazing part is that this valve opens by itself like an umbrella with a "pop", eliminating the need for stitches. The entire implantation process only takes 8 minutes.

How powerful is this technology? Just look at the comparison and you'll know:

Traditional surgery: sawing the sternum → severe pain and bed rest for 2 weeks → Hospitalization for 10 days;

AVATAR surgery: Minimally invasive neck surgery → Shopping the next day → discharged in 3 days.

The transformation from "the Gate of death" to "minor surgery".

After traditional surgery, the pain is so severe that I can't sleep, but with the new method, it's basically just a slight discomfort in the throat. The pain is worlds apart: If the full score is 10, the pain score drops directly from 7 to 2, which is equivalent to the level of a colonoscopy.

In the past, lying in bed for 10 days was considered fast, but now being discharged from the hospital in 3 days is no longer a dream. The hospital stay has been halved. CardioPrecision believes that in the future, it is possible to achieve "early treatment and late return", becoming a true day surgery.

Moreover, compared with surgeries performed by doctors themselves, robots do not have hand tremors and can avoid millimeter-sized nerves and blood vessels. Complications have been greatly reduced. The risk of major bleeding has been reduced from 15% to below 6%, making it particularly friendly to the elderly.

"Unemployment Crisis" for surgeons?

Now, the world's top hospitals are all vying for this set of equipment, and it is expected that they will perform over a thousand cases by 2026. But don't worry about the doctor being laid off. After all, no matter how powerful the robot is, it still has to follow the doctor's instructions. Just as the CEO of Corcym Company said: This is like giving a surgeon a Transformer as an assistant.

More importantly, 30% of patients who were originally not suitable for TAVR now have hope. For instance, robots can handle cases with severe valve calcification or overly tortuous blood vessels. It's just the price. It's indeed expensive now, but it's expected to drop by 40% within three years and will eventually be covered by medical insurance.

Future Outlook: Will Heart Surgery Become a "standard minor surgery"?

Imagine that by 2030, having a heart operation will be as simple as having an appendix removed now. Doctors are already developing thinner robotic arms, ready to operate through the natural channels of blood vessels. The AI will also remind you in real time: Pay attention! There is a small blood vessel 0.3 millimeters in front of the left!

However, it should be reminded to everyone: This technology is still in its infancy, and its long-term effects still need to be observed. But in any case, it is truly a blessing for our generation to be alive and witness medical miracles. You said, should robot chief surgeons also take the medical licensing examination in the future? Welcome to leave a chat in the comment section!

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