Is open-heart surgery the only option?
If you’ve been told you may need open-heart surgery, you may have other options.
Hearing the words “heart surgery” can send your mind in a million different directions. Will my chest need to be opened? How long could recovery take? Is this my only option?
Heart surgery has changed — and it doesn’t always look the way people imagine it. Traditional open-heart surgery is still an important (and sometimes necessary) treatment for many heart conditions. But depending on your condition and overall health, minimally invasive or robotic heart surgery may also be an option.
"The treatment that makes sense for one person may not be the same for another," explains Amber Edwards, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon at Ascension Saint Thomas.
A cardiac surgeon can review your medical history, imaging and treatment goals to help you understand your options, including whether an alternative to open-heart surgery may be appropriate. Dr. Edwards shares what to know about today's modern heart surgery options.
What are your heart surgery options?
Your options for heart surgery may include traditional open-heart surgery, minimally invasive heart surgery or robotic-assisted heart surgery. The approach that’s best for you depends on your condition, the type of procedure you need and your overall health.
Why would I need open-heart surgery?
Open-heart surgery may be recommended when you need complex treatment, multiple procedures or a type of repair that can’t be performed through smaller incisions.
“Traditional open-heart surgery often involves an incision through the breastbone, also called the sternum, so the surgical team can reach the heart,”she says. “It may be used for procedures like coronary artery bypass surgery, complex heart valve repair or heart valve replacement.”
For some people, open-heart surgery may provide the most direct and effective way to treat their condition. For others, a minimally invasive or robotic surgical procedure may be worth exploring.
What minimally invasive heart surgery involves
“Minimally invasive heart surgery uses smaller incisions, often between the ribs, to reach the heart,” says Dr. Edwards.
The heart surgeon uses specialized equipment and a small camera to see and treat the heart without opening the breastbone (what’s traditionally done in open-heart surgery).
This surgical approach may be used for certain heart valve procedures, including mitral valve surgery and aortic valve surgery
Depending on the procedure and the person, some benefits to this type of surgery include smaller scars, less discomfort, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to normal activities.
How robotic heart surgery is different
Robotic-assisted heart surgery is a type of minimally invasive heart surgery. During the procedure, the cardiac surgeon sits at a nearby console and controls small instruments attached to robotic arms. A high-definition 3D camera provides a magnified view of the heart, while the surgical team assists at the operating table.
“The robot doesn’t make treatment decisions or perform the surgery by itself,” says Dr. Edwards. “Your surgeon controls the tools throughout the entire procedure.”
Robotic techniques may be used for certain heart valve repairs, coronary artery bypass procedures and other cardiac surgeries.
Who may qualify for minimally invasive or robotic heart surgery?
There’s no single checklist for determining who is eligible for minimally invasive or robotic heart surgery. Being a candidate for this type of procedure depends on the condition being treated, the complexity of the procedure and your overall health.
What heart conditions can be treated with robotic surgery?
Dr. Edwards shares that robotic cardiac surgery may be considered for some people with:
- Heart valve disease
- Mitral valve regurgitation
- Certain aortic valve conditions
- Coronary artery disease
- Atrial fibrillation
- Some congenital heart conditions
- Certain structural heart problems
Robotic valve surgery, including robotic mitral valve repair, is one area where this approach may be considered. “However, not every valve problem can be treated robotically. Your care team will help determine whether the approach fits your condition,” she adds.
What factors affect eligibility?
Your actual diagnosis is just one factor of determining whether you're a candidate for minimally invasive or robotic heart surgery.
Your heart care team may consider:
- The type and severity of your heart condition
- The location and structure of the affected area
- Your medical history and previous surgeries
- Your overall health
- Other conditions, such as lung disease, kidney disease or diabetes
- Whether you need more than one procedure
- The resources available at the cardiac surgery center
This means that your evaluation may include imaging tests, heart studies and a physical exam. Together, this information helps your care team determine the approach that may provide the best treatment for you.
What are the potential benefits and limitations of minimally invasive heart surgery?
Minimally invasive and robotic heart surgery may offer benefits for some people, but a smaller incision doesn’t automatically make one approach better for everyone. Your surgeon will consider how effectively each option can treat your heart condition, along with its potential risks and benefits.
Is robotic surgery safer than open-heart surgery?
Not necessarily. “Robotic heart surgery may offer benefits for some people, but it’s not automatically the safer or best choice for everyone,” says Dr. Edwards.
Just as with all other types of surgeries , it requires careful planning and comes with potential risks.
What are the potential benefits compared to open surgery?
Because robotic and minimally invasive procedures use smaller incisions, potential benefits may include:
- Smaller scars
- Less disruption to the chest area
- Less postoperative discomfort
- Less blood loss
- A shorter hospital stay
- A quicker return to normal activities for some people
These potential benefits are only one part of the decision. Your surgeon will consider how effectively each approach can treat your heart condition and which option is most appropriate for your overall health needs.
What should I know about the risks and limitations?
Every surgical approach has potential risks. Your individual considerations may depend on your health, the type of procedure being performed and your recovery needs.
“Robotic surgery may not be available for every condition or at every cardiac surgery center. In some situations, open-heart surgery may provide the best access your surgeon needs to complete a complex repair,” Dr. Edwards says.
Ask your cardiac surgeon to explain the benefits, limitations and potential risks of each approach in the context of your condition.
“Our goal as heart surgeons is always to choose the approach that offers the best overall outcome for the individual,” Dr. Edwards says.
How long is recovery after minimally invasive or robotic heart surgery?
Recovery depends on the type of heart surgery you have, your overall health and how your body heals. Every person’s timeline is different.
What to expect after robotic heart surgery
After robotic-assisted heart surgery, you may spend time in the intensive care unit, or ICU, before moving to a regular hospital room. The length of your hospital stay will depend on the procedure and your progress.
Your care team will provide instructions for caring for your incisions, taking medications, managing discomfort, walking safely and gradually returning to daily activities. Cardiac rehabilitation may also be recommended to help you rebuild strength and confidence.
In general, minimally invasive heart surgery recovery may be shorter than recovery after traditional open-heart surgery.
When can I return to normal activities after heart surgery?
Your surgeon will tell you when you can drive, return to work, exercise and lift heavier objects after you’ve had heart surgery.
“Your timeline may depend on your procedure and the type of work or activity you do,” says Dr. Edwards. “Recovery is a process, and each person’s healing is different. Your care team can help you understand what to expect and when you can gradually resume your usual activities.”
How do you choose the right type of heart surgery?
The first step is to talk with a heart specialist who can review your condition and explain your options.
A cardiac surgery consultation can help you understand whether open-heart surgery, minimally invasive heart surgery, robotic assisted heart surgery or another treatment may be appropriate. If you’ve already been told you may need heart surgery, you might also consider getting a second opinion.
“That doesn’t necessarily mean the first recommendation was wrong,” assures Dr. Edwards. “Getting a second opinion gives you an opportunity to ask questions, better understand your diagnosis and learn whether other treatment approaches may be available before you make a decision.”
Ascension Saint Thomas Heart provides advanced cardiovascular care for people seeking heart treatment options, who have complex heart care needs or would like to get a second opinion. Make an appointment with a heart specialist to learn which heart surgery options may be right for you.
Next steps and helpful resources
Meet the full robotic heart surgery team
Learn about robotic-assisted surgery in Middle Tennessee
Learn about advanced heart care in Middle Tennessee
This blog is intended for general informational use. Any health-related information shared is not meant to provide or replace professional medical advice and does not establish a patient-provider relationship. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Last updated: noviembre 9, 2026