Baylor St. Luke's Performs First Fully Robotic Heart Transplant
Becker's Hospital Review
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston has performed the first fully robotic heart transplant on an adult patient in the U.S., led by Dr. Kenneth Liao. This pioneering procedure utilized advanced robotic technology to avoid a traditional chest incision, accessing the heart via the preperitoneal space. The successful operation not only marks a significant advancement in cardiothoracic surgery but also indicates potential benefits like enhanced surgical precision and reduced recovery times. Following the surgery, the patient, a 45-year-old man, recovered without complications and spent a month in the hospital, suggesting that robotic heart transplants could offer a less invasive alternative to standard techniques.
