Safdarjung reports first robotic AV valve replacement in rare adult heart case

Safdarjung Hospital performed a robotic systemic AV valve replacement on an adult with ccTGA and dextrocardia. The rare left-sided minimally invasive approach underlines the growing reach of advanced cardiac surgery in public healthcare.Safdarjung Hospital performed a robotic systemic AV valve replacement on an adult with ccTGA and dextrocardia. Safdarjung Hospital has performed a robotic systemic atrioventricular (AV) valve replacement in an adult patient with a rare combination of congenital heart defects, in what it described as a major milestone in robotic cardiac surgery.The hospital said this is the first reported case in medical literature in which a robotic system was adapted through a left-sided approach to replace a systemic AV valve in a patient with both congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) and dextrocardia.The minimally invasive procedure was carried out by the hospital's Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, led by Professor Dr Anubhav Gupta, on an adult patient diagnosed with ccTGA along with dextrocardia, according to a hospital statement.The patient had severe leakage of the systemic atrioventricular valve, which was pumping blood to the body under high pressure because of the congenital defect. The condition had already led to deterioration in heart function, making the surgery particularly challenging, the statement said. To prepare for the operation, the surgical team created a detailed three-dimensional reconstruction of the patient's CT scan to map the altered anatomy. Unlike conventional robotic mitral valve surgery, which is usually performed through the right side of the chest, the team used a left-sided robotic approach because the patient's heart was positioned on the right side of the chest due to dextrocardia, the statement said.The procedure was performed through small ports without splitting the breastbone, using robotic arms and high-definition three-dimensional visualisation for precision. Gupta said the successful adaptation of robotic surgery for such a rare and complex cardiac anatomy shows the potential of minimally invasive techniques in managing highly challenging congenital heart diseases.The hospital said the minimally invasive approach is associated with reduced blood loss, lower risk of infection, less post-operative pain and faster recovery compared with conventional open-heart surgery.Hospital Director Dr Kavita Sharma said the achievement highlights the growing capability of India's public healthcare system in advanced robotic cardiac surgery and reflects the institution's focus on innovation and patient care. Overall, the surgery combined robotic precision with a tailored approach to treat a rare congenital heart condition in an adult patient.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 2, 2026 23:56 IST