Traditional heart surgery has been successfully performed for approximately 60 years. In this method, the patient’s breastbone (sternum) is cut to access the heart and major blood vessels.
However, advancements in technology have brought significant changes to surgical practices. One of the most important innovations in cardiac surgery is endoscopic heart surgery, a minimally invasive approach that reduces trauma and improves recovery for patients.
Minimally invasive heart surgery provides access to the heart through small incisions between the ribs, without cutting the breastbone, unlike traditional surgery. A small incision in the groin is also used to connect the patient to the heart-lung machine.
This technique is widely used in heart valve surgeries and can also be applied in coronary bypass procedures, offering a less invasive option with faster recovery and reduced surgical trauma.
Robotic heart surgery is a technique in which the surgeon performs the procedure using robotic arms. The 3D imaging technology provided by the robotic system offers significant precision and guidance during the operation.
However, several factors limit the widespread use of robotic heart surgery, including high costs, the surgeon’s lack of direct contact with the patient, and the need for a second experienced surgeon to be present at the patient’s side.
Endoscopic heart surgery represents the latest and most advanced form of minimally invasive heart procedures. Thanks to technological advancements, 3D imaging systems have replaced traditional 2D visuals, providing surgeons with enhanced depth perception and high-resolution views during the operation.
Similar to robotic surgery, the surgeon performs the procedure guided by 3D images. However, unlike robotic systems, the surgeon remains at the patient’s side, directly controlling the operation.
Because the incisions in endoscopic heart surgery are very small, patients experience faster recovery, minimal postoperative pain, and excellent cosmetic results.
Many heart surgeries can be successfully performed using endoscopic techniques, including:
- Heart valve repairs (mitral and tricuspid valve repair)
- Heart valve replacement (mitral, aortic, and tricuspid valve replacement)
- Heart tumor surgeries
- Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation
- High-risk second or third heart surgeries (re-operations)
- Coronary bypass surgeries
- Congenital heart defect (ASD) surgeries
Notably, coronary bypass surgeries can be performed endoscopically using both the right and left internal mammary arteries. This approach offers significant long-term benefits, particularly for younger patients.
- - Faster Recovery: Small incisions significantly reduce postoperative recovery time.
- - Less Pain: Since the ribs are not spread apart, postoperative pain is minimal.
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- Cosmetic Benefits: Incisions are very small or virtually invisible, providing excellent aesthetic results.
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- High Success Rate: Endoscopic techniques cause less trauma compared to other minimally invasive methods, resulting in highly favorable surgical outcomes.
Together with my team, we have been performing minimally invasive heart surgeries for over 10 years. Using the latest 3D endoscopic surgical techniques, we provide our patients with the highest standards of care and maximum comfort. This advanced method, widely adopted in leading heart centers around the world—especially in Europe—is now successfully available at our center.
Endoscopic heart surgery offers almost all the benefits of robotic surgery while providing shorter recovery times and less postoperative pain compared to other minimally invasive heart procedures. In minimally invasive coronary bypass surgeries, it allows the use of both internal mammary arteries, offering significant long-term advantages, particularly for younger patients.
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Endoscopic heart surgery is a next-generation cardiac procedure performed through small incisions using minimally invasive techniques, offering faster recovery and superior cosmetic results.
3D endoscopic imaging provides surgeons with clearer and more precise views during the operation.
This method is increasingly preferred worldwide, especially in Europe and Turkey.
A new era in heart surgery has begun!
Traditional heart surgery has been successfully performed for nearly 60 years. In this approach, the patient’s breastbone (sternum) is cut to access the heart and major blood vessels. However, technological advancements have brought significant changes to the field of surgery.
For many years, this method has been the primary approach for successfully performing heart surgeries.