For the first time ever, doctors have successfully replaced a heart valve through a small incision in the neck using robotic assistance, eliminating the need for a traditional open-chest surgery.

TAVR's been around for a few years, but not everyone qualifies for TAVR: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcatheter-aortic-valve-replacement/about/pac-20384698

They've also been doing Davinci robotic-assisted mitral valve replacement for 20 years: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5135549/

But this procedure sounds like it's for those who can't use any of the other methods. Hope it catches on fast. Recovery from open-heart surgery is a nightmare.

Glad to hear. I hope this kind of surgery becomes highly accessible for everyone.

How does this compare to Tavr, which is already minimally invasive?