Nashville, Tenn.-based Ascension St. Thomas became one of the first in the world to perform a cardiac surgery using the da Vinci 5 robotic platform.
Around 35% of all coronary bypass surgeries are done robotically at the hospital. Robotic surgeries can be more efficient than traditional methods. The average robotics cardiac surgery takes about two hours, and that time continues to decrease as the team gains experience.
Patients who undergo robotic surgery often experience pain improvement after three days, compared to two to three months for sternotomy patients. They are also frequently extubated immediately after surgery, have shorter OR times, shorter ICU stays, minimal need for blood transfusions and faster overall recovery.
“Robotic cardiac surgery is currently a strategic differentiator for leading cardiovascular programs,” Ashok Babu, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the hospital, told Becker’s.
Many heart programs face challenges in implementing robotic cardiac surgery, primarily due to how technically demanding the procedures are, Dr. Babu said. Ascension St. Thomas is closing this gap by training physicians from across the world on robotic surgery techniques. With the da Vinci 5 platform, they are able to reach more surgeons without requiring travel. The platform provides high-quality video and audio so surgeons can observe the procedures in real time.
“As technology advances and training becomes more accessible, robotic surgery is expected to become an essential component of modern cardiac care,” Dr. Babu said. “Hospitals that invest in robotic cardiac surgery today will be better positioned to meet growing patient expectations, attract top clinical talent and remain competitive in an increasingly technology-driven healthcare environment.”
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