Orlando Health launches robotic cardiac surgery program, brings new treatment options to patients

Orlando, Fla. (February 21, 2023) – Cardiovascular surgeons at Orlando Health Heart and Vascular Institute are scrubbing in for heart surgery with robotic assisted technology. The robotic cardiac surgery program is currently the only program of its kind in Orlando, providing robotic-assisted surgery for structural and valve disease. 

“Without compromising quality or outcomes, we are able to offer patients the most minimally invasive approach to heart surgery,” said Michael Hanna, MD, MS, FACS, cardiac surgeon, Orlando Health Heart and Vascular Institute.

With robotic-assisted surgery techniques cardiac surgeons use very small incisions to repair the heart, which means less pain, fewer complications, shorter recovery, and greater satisfaction for patients. Incision length varies but could be as small as 3/8 inch to 1 inch. Incision with traditional heart surgery, which requires an incision through the sternum to access the heart, can be as long as 7 to ten inches.

“The robotic cardiac surgery program is the latest offering in the Comprehensive Mitral Center offering patients an array of treatment options for mitral valve disease,” said Farhan Khawaja, MD, cardiologist and president, Orlando Health Heart and Vascular Institute.

Robotic-assisted surgery also provides benefits to surgeons, including three-dimensional visualization during the procedure, improved access to anatomical structures, and an ergonomic environment. 

“This results in improved patient outcomes, less blood transfusions, infections and morbidity,” said Dr. Hanna.

Mitral valve disease occurs when one or more of the four heart valves do not function properly to allow blood flow in the right direction through your heart to the rest of your body.

Two common types of mitral valve disease are regurgitation and stenosis. Regurgitation happens when valve leaflets don’t close tightly. Stenosis is when the valve leaflets harden or stick together.

The robotic cardiac surgery program is part of the Orlando Health Advanced Robotic Surgery Center.

“Orlando Health is proud to announce the launch of this cutting-edge robotic cardiac program, further demonstrating our commitment to delivering the latest medical technology and advancements to our valued patients,” said Alexis Sanchez, MD, MS, MBA, senior director, Robotic Surgery Program, Orlando Health.

About Orlando Health

Orlando Health, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with $8.1 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States.

Founded more than 100 years ago, the healthcare system is recognized around the world for Central Florida’s only pediatric and adult Level I Trauma program as well as the only state-accredited Level II Adult Trauma Center in Pinellas County. It is the home of the nation’s largest neonatal intensive care unit under one roof, the only system in the southeast to offer open fetal surgery to repair the most severe forms of spina bifida, the site of an Olympic athlete training facility and operator of one of the largest and highest performing clinically integrated networks in the region. Orlando Health has pioneered life-changing medical research and its Graduate Medical Education program hosts more than 350 residents and fellows.

The 3,238-bed system includes 23 hospitals and emergency departments – 18 of which are currently operational with five coming soon. The system also includes nine specialty institutes, more than 100 adult and pediatric primary care practices, skilled nursing facilities, an in-patient behavioral health facility under the management of Acadia Healthcare, and more than 60 outpatient facilities that include imaging and laboratory services, wound care centers, home healthcare services in partnership with LHC Group, and urgent care centers in partnership with FastMed Urgent Care. More than 4,000 physicians, representing more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties have privileges across the Orlando Health system, which employs more than 25,000 team members and more than 1,200 physicians.

In FY22, Orlando Health served nearly 142,000 inpatients and 3.9 million outpatients. The healthcare system provided more than $782 million in total value to the communities it serves in the form of charity care, community benefit programs and services, community building activities and more in FY 21, the most recent period for which this information is available. Additional information can be found at http://www.orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @orlandohealth.