Apollo Hospitals, Chennai has successfully performed robotic cardiac surgery on the oldest patient in India at its dedicated Robot-Assisted Cardiac Surgery Unit in Greams Road. Dr. MM. Yusuf and his team has created a milestone by performing the Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) on a 93-year-old patient. The team has performed complex robotic-assisted minimally invasive cardiac surgery on patients above 70 years of age.
Even during the pandemic, Apollo Hospitals lead the way in conducting Robotic Aided Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgeries (CABG) and saving lives. A 93-year-old man had robotic CABG surgery, making him India’s oldest patient to date. Many patients above the age of 70 and 80 has been successfully saved in the past few months through robotic cardiac surgeries.
Robotic cardiac surgery is a minimally invasive method that allows patients to return to their daily lives considerably more quickly than open-heart surgery. Surgeons have greater vision, precision, accuracy, and control, and the patients will have less discomfort, fewer post-operative wound infections, less scarring, and improved respiration when undergoing a Robotic assisted procedure. Recovery is quick, with less time in the hospital, quicker mobilisation, and rehabilitation. This is the best option for patients with diabetes and older patients.
Dr. MM Yusuf, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals and team have operated on many patients above the age of 70 and about 10 patients over the age of 80 in the past few months. The oldest patient who underwent Robotic assist CABG is 93-years-old and he is also the oldest patient who underwent CABG surgery in India till date. In octogenarians with multiple co- morbidities especially during the COVID pandemic, Robotic Assist CABG proved a boon to treat them with least post-operative complications and enabled quick recovery. These patients were not suitable for open surgery and would have been left with no definitive treatment options if Robotic surgery was not available.
Speaking about the procedure Dr. MM Yusuf, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, said, “Minimally invasive Cardiac surgery avoids sternal split and aids quick recovery. Robotic assist CABG is the least invasive cardiac surgery procedure available now. This surgery involves making tiny holes in the chest cavity through which surgery is performed with the help of the DaVinci Robotic system. Most patients also do not have any cut in the legs since the 2 arteries in the chest wall are used to perform the bypass surgery. Patients have very little blood loss and pain and recover quickly. Hospital stay is usually 2 to 3 days and return to full normal activity will be in 2 to 3 weeks as opposed to 3 months or more with open CABG. This unique procedure is performed in very few centres across the globe.”
Ms. Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Our mission has always been to introduce the latest medical technology to India for the benefit of our patients. We want more people to be able to take advantage of our hospital’s cutting-edge surgical and medical treatment. At Apollo Hospitals, we put the patient first in all we do and deliver world-class treatment that is both accessible and affordable. We are convinced that such medical discoveries will alter the lives of many more individuals who are unable to undergo traditional heart surgery.”
Robotic Assisted CABG is the least invasive method of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Blood loss and pain are negligible. Hospital stay is very short and recovery is extremely quick. This procedure is suitable to treat many patients with single and multi-vessel vessel coronary artery disease. Patients can return back to full normal activity with two weeks.
