Chennai hospital performs robotic heart valve surgeries on teenager, senior citizen

The Gleneagles Hospital Chennai has successfully completed robotic-assisted mitral valve replacement (MVR) surgeries on a 16-year-old boy and a 76-year-old woman.

The hospital said the procedure were performed using robotic technology that enables surgeons to access the heart through small incisions between the ribs, avoiding conventional open-chest surgery and aiding faster recovery.

The 16-year-old patient from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, had suffered recurrent fever and an embolic stroke caused by severe mitral valve disease. Doctors replaced the damaged valve, and the patient is recovering steadily.

The 76-year-old Chennai resident, who had breathlessness and chest discomfort along with osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis, has regained mobility following surgery.

The procedures were led by Govini Balasubramani, director of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery. Hospital officials said the achievement reflects growing adoption of robotic cardiac procedures aimed at improving surgical precision and better recovery outcomes.