Robotic technology is allowing cardiac surgeons to perform delicate surgery that is less invasive and minimizes risk, the Mayo Clinic News Network reported. The report looks at robotics used to assist Rakesh M. Suri, MD, surgically repair a mitral valve rather than performing an open sternotomy and value replacement. Suri is a cardiac surgeon at the clinic in Rochester, Minn., and head of the clinic’s Robotic Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgical program.

Robotics offer magnified, high–definition 3-D visualization and their arms can slip between the ribs to perform the same operation as he would do through an open sternotomy approach, Suri said.

For more about robotic technology in mitral valve repair, check out "Robotically Assisted Mitral Valve Repair: Does It Compute?"