A 64-year-old patient from Fiji underwent Robot-Assisted Total Arterial Bypass Surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi.

A 64-year-old gentleman from Fiji recently Robot-Assisted Total Arterial Bypass Surgery for Triple Vessel Coronary Artery disease at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi. He had been suffering from chest discomfort for the past 2 years and had an uncontrolled blood sugar levels and impaired kidney function. Additionally, on examination he was also diagnosed with moderate heart dysfunction- his heart was not pumping enough blood, which put him at the risk of heart failure.

The patient had been advised an open heart surgery in his native country, however he was skeptical due to the possibilities of multiple complications involved like chest bone being cut, blood loss, kidney failure and post-surgical recovery. The surgery would be challenging because the patient had multiple underlying co-morbidities, hypertension, unstable sugar levels and lower heart function.

With his condition deteriorating and taking a toll on his overall health, he was referred to Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. He was admitted under the supervision of Dr MM Yusuf, Specialist Consultant, Robotics and Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, Dr Mukesh Goel, Senior Consultant, Cardiothoracic Surgery & Dr Varun Bansal, Consultant, Robotics and Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.

As a first step, patient was admitted at the hospital for 5 days prior to the surgery to stabilize his kidney function. Once he was stabilized, the team of doctors conducted the robot-assisted total arterial triple vessel coronary artery bypass surgery. Post-surgery, he was kept for observation in the ICU and then discharged. Currently, he is stable and walking around without support and performing all regular activities independently.

Dr MM Yusuf, who led the robot assisted surgery, said, “Robotic assist CABG is the least invasive cardiac procedure. It is a symbiosis between state-of-the-art technology and surgical expertise. It offers great short and long-term benefits by subjecting patients to minimal cuts, less bleeding, less pain, early recovery and quick return to active life. Total arterial bypass surgery also provides best long term outcome with less risk of re-intervention later in life.
Dr MM Yusuf & his team have been performing this procedure routinely at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai over the past 2 years.

Speaking about the procedure, Dr Mukesh Goel said, “While fewer acute heart attack cases are being admitted to hospital emergency units, there is a marked increase in deaths from cardiac arrest at home, probably due to the postponement and delay in seeking medical attention. It is, therefore, important to emphasize that heart patients must not ignore any deterioration in symptoms and/or delay medical attention. Apollo Hospitals have been known to introduce the latest medical technology in India for the benefit of the patients. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery avoids sternal split and aids in a quick recovery”.

Dr Varun Bansal added,” Technology has ushered in a paradigm shift in healthcare. From performing complex surgeries to providing remote care with telehealth, it has brought a massive transformation, taking medical treatment to unimaginable heights. Even though the use of robots in surgery isn’t new, emerging technologies and innovations have expanded their scope to help doctors perform difficult medical procedures and surgeries easily with more precision, comfort and speed.”

Following this patient from Fiji, another patient from India, who had coronary artery disease also underwent Robotic assist total arterial triple vessel bypass surgery and has reclaimed his active life within a week.