Robot doesn't perform the surgery: Cardiac surgeon debunks the biggest myths around robotic heart surgery - The Times of India

What the report says

The Times of India published a health explainer on July 19, 2026, addressing common misconceptions about robotic cardiac surgery as the option becomes more visible in India. The article, written by Aadya Jha for TIMESOFINDIA.COM, draws on input from Dr Soumya Guha, a robotic cardiac surgeon at BM Birla Heart Hospital, to clarify that the technology is not an independent operator but a surgeon-controlled system used in minimally invasive heart procedures.

According to the TOI report, Dr Guha said the robotic platform does not make decisions or act on its own. Instead, the surgeon works from a console, with the system translating hand movements into highly precise instrument motion. The article frames this as a key point for patients who may fear that a machine is “performing” heart surgery without human control.

The report also reviews other concerns: whether recovery is as difficult as open-heart surgery, whether robotic methods are only for minor conditions, whether outcomes match conventional surgery, and whether such treatment is available only overseas. TOI reported that smaller incisions may mean less blood loss, reduced pain, smaller scars and earlier return to normal activity for suitable patients. Dr Guha also listed procedures such as mitral valve surgery, bypass grafting and atrial septal defect repair among the areas where robotic cardiac surgery is being used.

The central caveat in the article is patient selection. TOI noted that anatomy, existing illnesses, prior operations and the exact heart condition all affect whether robotic surgery is appropriate. The broader message is that patients should discuss options with qualified cardiac surgeons rather than relying on social media claims or second-hand information.