As technology continues to transform medicine, robotic surgery is revolutionising the world of heart care. More patients are now eligible for less-invasive heart surgery, thereby avoiding the extensive incisions, cracked ribs and long recovery times associated with traditional open-heart surgery. However, experts at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute emphasise that for the best outcomes, patients must seek a high-volume centre with an experienced surgical team.

One of the foremost pioneers in robotic cardiac surgery is Dr Makoto Hashimoto, M.D., Ph.D., a world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon who recently joined the Institute. Professor and Director of Robotic Cardiac Surgery at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, and previously the director of the Center for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery in Japan, Dr. Hashimoto has been at the forefront of robotic cardiac procedures for over a decade.

“While two million robotic surgeries were performed last year, very few were for cardiac conditions,” explains Dr Hashimoto. “Robotic cardiac surgery requires skill and precision,which can only be honed by performing numerous procedures annually. That’s why it’s crucial to find an experienced team.”

Benefits for the patient

Dr Hashimoto’s team at the Institute has been using advanced robotic technology to perform a wide range of cardiac surgeries, including aortic valve replacement, mitral and tricuspid valve repair, coronary artery bypass surgery and more. These robotic surgeries offer significant benefits, such as smaller incisions, reduced pain, less blood loss and faster recovery times, over traditional procedures.

The Institute is expanding its capabilities to include robotic-assisted technologies, further enhancing patient outcomes. Robotic cardiac surgery uses a console to manipulate surgical instruments with precision, translating the surgeon’s hand movements into real-time actions. This allows for better motion and enhanced visualisation, ensuring the surgeon can navigate complex heart surgeries with unparalleled accuracy.

At Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, robotic surgery has already transformed the patient experience. A study of early robotic cardiac surgeries in Japan showed patients were discharged after just four days with nearly no complications – many now go home in just two days. Most patients return to work within two weeks, with 45% going back after only one week.

“In the future, we will explore telesurgery – where surgeons and patients are in different locations – bringing world-class care to underserved areas and even rural regions,” Dr Hashimoto said.

Robotic cardiac surgery requires skill and precision, which can only be honed by performing numerous procedures annually

At Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, robotic surgery has already transformed the patient experience

A new era

Robotic cardiac surgery is not just about technology – it’s about providing patients with the best possible outcomes. By leveraging the latest advancements in robotics, Baptist Health is paving the way for a new era of heart care, offering patients faster recoveries, fewer complications and, ultimately, better quality of life.