The best available surgical treatment for mitral valve prolapse is repair. A repair can provide you with many significant advantages as compared with mitral valve replacement, including the absence of life-long blood thinning medications, less need for reoperation, reduced risk of surgical complications, a higher long-term survival rate, and improved heart function. A recent study suggests that the da Vinci® Surgical System may allow surgeons to complete 50% more repairs than they can when using an open surgical approach.

Mitral Valve with defect	Repaired Mitral Valve

Sternotomy
	The most common method of repairing a valve through surgery is with sternotomy - cutting through the breastbone (sternum) and opening the ribs. As stated previously, the open approach does not always provide the visualization and access necessary to complete a repair. In fact, the majority of patients who undergo sternotomy receive an artificial valve.

Robotic Heart Surgery

In addition to avoiding the pain and trauma of sternotomy and rib spreading, the da Vinci® Surgical System’s mitral valve repair may provide patients with the following benefits when compared with open heart surgery: •  Less risk of infection •  Less blood loss and less need for blood transfusions •  Shorter hospital stays •  Significantly less pain and scarring •  Faster recovery •  Quicker return to normal activities •  A potentially better clinical outcome

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed since surgery is both patient - and procedure-specific. While the da Vinci® Surgical System’s mitral valve repair is considered safe and effective, this system may not be appropriate for every patient. Always ask your physician about all treatment options, including benefits and risks.

This information is not an alternative to direct communication with your health care providers. We hope it will help you to start a dialogue that will lead to the best option for you or your loved one.