Center for Robotic Heart & Vascular Surgery

Robotic surgery enables surgeons to perform complex heart procedures with more precision and flexibility compared to open heart surgery.

In robotic surgery, the surgeon makes small incisions between the ribs on the side of the chest. The team sets up four robotic arms with tiny surgical tools and a 3D camera (endoscope). These tools will fit through the incisions.

The surgeon sits at a console with a high-definition monitor and uses hand and foot controls to direct the robotic arms and perform the surgery. Surgeons describe the instruments as extensions of their hands. They have even better range and dexterity than normal hand and wrist movements.

Robotic heart surgeries available at Baptist Health include:

• Arrhythmia surgery
• Atrial septal defect repairs
• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
• Heart valve repair and replacement
• Tumor removal

All surgeries involve potential risks and benefits. Your surgeon will work with you and your loved ones to decide if robotic surgery is the best option for you.

Robotic surgery may not be suitable for patients with a history of lung surgery, a history of repeated pneumonia or anatomical abnormalities.

Baptist Health offers many types of robotic heart surgeries. Some of the more common types include: