Robotic neck surgery replaces heart valve without chest incision

Surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic have successfully performed the world’s first robotic aortic valve replacement (AVR) through a small neck incision, avoiding the traditional chest opening (sternotomy). Led by Dr. Marijan Koprivanac, this transcervical robotic approach offers a less-invasive alternative to conventional AVR, which typically requires opening the chest and results in longer, more painful recoveries. The technique uses robotic arms inserted via a small incision along a natural neck crease, allowing precise removal of the diseased valve and implantation of a prosthetic valve through four small incisions. Four patients underwent this procedure earlier in 2025, all experiencing low pain levels and rapid recovery, with some returning to physical activities within a week. Building on Dr. Koprivanac’s prior experience with transcervical thymectomy, the team refined the AVR technique through cadaver studies before clinical application. Initial cases showed an average cross-clamp time of about 140 minutes, with most patients discharged within