Pune – In a landmark achievement for advanced cardiac care, DPU Super Specialty Hospital has successfully performed Pune’s first robotic assisted minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, offering a safer, faster, and cosmetically superior alternative to traditional open-heart surgery.
The patient, a 46-year-old female diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affecting the mitral valve, required valve replacement surgery due to progressive damage. Traditionally, such procedures involve open-heart surgery with a large incision through the breastbone (sternotomy), leading to significant postoperative discomfort, prolonged recovery, and visible scarring.
The team at DPU chose a robotic-assisted, minimally invasive approach, avoiding the need for a full sternotomy. Instead of cutting through the breastbone, the procedure was carried out via small ports between the ribs, without rib spreading, offering several patient-centred benefits, including the elimination of major bone trauma, significantly reduced postoperative pain compared to conventional open surgery, and a faster recovery that enables patients to return to normal activities sooner.
This technique offers benefits across all age groups: for young women, it provides a superior cosmetic outcome; for working individuals, it enables a return to work within a couple of weeks; and for senior citizens, it ensures a faster and more comfortable recovery.
The DPU team, led by cardiac surgeon Dr. Ashish Baviskar and anaesthetist Dr. Swapnil Patil, is focused on delivering cutting-edge, advanced cardiac surgical care. The team regularly performs minimally invasive cardiac surgeries, adopting the latest techniques in the field. Compared to conventional open-heart procedures, minimally invasive and robotic-assisted approaches have demonstrated significantly improved outcomes, including reduced trauma, faster recovery, and enhanced patient comfort.
After a minimally invasive surgery, patients are usually mobile and active by postoperative day 2, resuming light daily activities such as independent walking and social interaction. By day 3, patients are able to access rehabilitation facilities, including the hospital gym.
Overall, the patient’s recovery trajectory closely resembled that of a healthy individual within days rather than months. This advancement significantly improves patient confidence, independence, and quality of life, enabling an early return to work and normal routines.
Pune’s first successful robotic assisted minimally invasive mitral valve surgery was accomplished by an exceptional multidisciplinary team comprising Dr. Ashish Baviskar, Dr. Swapnil Patil, Dr. Venuraj Warke and Dr. Ujwal Zambre.
Hon’ble Dr. P. D. Patil, Chancellor, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, Pune, said: “Achieving Pune’s first robotic assisted minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is a proud milestone for our institution and a reflection of our commitment to advancing healthcare through innovation. At Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, we continuously strive to integrate cutting-edge technology with clinical excellence to deliver safer, more effective, and patient-centric care. This accomplishment reinforces our vision of being at the forefront of medical education, research, and advanced treatment.”
Hon’ble Dr. (Mrs.) Bhagyashree P. Patil, Pro-Chancellor, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, Pune, added: “This breakthrough highlights our dedication to bringing world-class medical technologies to our patients. We remain committed to all advance cardio-thoracic surgical work including Heart-Lung Transplants, ECMO and with Minimally Invasive and Robotic, we are further expanding access to such advanced treatments and setting new benchmarks in patient care”
Dr. Ashish Baviskar, Cardiovascular and Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon, DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pune said, “ This is the future of cardiac surgery. Minimally Invasive & Robotic techniques represent a paradigm shift—offering unmatched precision, minimal invasiveness, and significantly improved patient outcomes. They reduce surgical trauma, shorten hospital stays, and enable faster recovery, allowing patients to return to their normal lives much sooner. What was once considered a highly complex and demanding procedure can now be performed with greater accuracy, safety and consistency.”