Advanced, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
At Rochester Regional Health, our Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program offers industry-leading, minimally invasive treatment options for patients with complex heart conditions. By combining advanced robotic technology with decades of surgical expertise, we deliver exceptional outcomes through smaller incisions, faster recovery times, and reduced discomfort.
Our goal is simple: provide the highest quality heart care using the least invasive approach
possible.
Why Choose Robotic Cardiac Surgery?
Minimally invasive robotic heart surgery offers:
- Smaller incisions
- Less pain
- Faster recovery
- Shorter hospital stays
- Earlier return to normal activities
For many patients, it represents a transformative alternative to traditional open-heart surgery.
A Highly Experienced Heart Team
Our program is built on a collaborative, multidisciplinary model of care.
40+ Years of
Combined Experience
2,000+
Robotic Procedures
Comprehensive Heart Team Evaluations
Leading non‑sternotomy (no breastbone incision) techniques
Procedures performed by the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System
Care reviewed by a team of cardiac, interventional, and imaging experts
This integrated approach ensures every patient receives a personalized treatment plan designed for the best possible outcome.
Advancing the Future of Cardiac Care
Our team is actively engaged in clinical research, including studies evaluating non-narcotic
approaches to postoperative pain management—further enhancing recovery while reducing reliance on opioids.
Robotic Cardiac Surgery Overview
Using robotic and minimally invasive techniques, we treat a wide range of complex heart conditions, including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Aortic valve disease
- Mitral valve disease
- Atrial septal defects (ASD)
- Atrial fibrillation, including left atrial appendage ligation
Whenever appropriate, we use non-sternotomy approaches that avoid traditional open-heart surgery, helping patients recover more quickly and return to normal activities sooner.
For patients undergoing a robotic MIDCAB (Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass), the pre‑surgery steps typically include:
- Office consultation - available within 72 hours
- Comprehensive preoperative risk assessment, including:
- Cardiac catheterization
- CT scan of the chest
- Pulmonary function testing
- Carotid duplex studies
- Multidisciplinary heart team evaluation
- Procedure scheduling, including determination of sequencing if two procedures are required
From first consultation through recovery, our team remains closely coordinated to ensure seamless care - with 24/7 clinical support available whenever you need it.
Hospital Stay
These surgeries are performed at Rochester General Hospital. Most patients stay 2 to 4 days, significantly shorter than traditional open‑heart procedures.
Recovery & Restrictions
Because no bones are broken during robotic procedures, most patients have very few restrictions after the first week.
Procedure Time
Robotic procedures are typically shorter than traditional open surgery. In many cases, we combine two smaller, targeted procedures instead of one large open operation—improving precision while minimizing recovery time.