- Robert Channell
AdventHealth Waterman has achieved a major milestone in heart surgery by using advanced robotic technology to treat heart disease.
Dr. Gary Allen, a cardiothoracic surgeon at AdventHealth Waterman, is now using the da Vinci robotic system to perform minimally invasive heart surgeries. This includes bypass surgery for blocked arteries, left atrial appendage closure to reduce stroke risk, and pericardial window surgery to drain excess fluid around the heart.
“We are thrilled to bring this revolutionary technology to the area,” said Allen. “The da Vinci robotic system enables us to perform intricate heart surgeries with greater precision, leading to better outcomes for our patients.”
What Robotic Surgery Means for Heart Patients
The da Vinci robotic system allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with less blood loss, less pain, a lower risk of infection, minimal scarring and quicker recovery times. Patients are routinely returning home within two or three days after surgery, compared to five to seven days with traditional surgery.
With small incisions and high-definition, magnified 3D imaging, the da Vinci system gives doctors better visibility inside the body for more precise movements.
The robotic approach opens the door for patients who aren’t candidates for traditional heart surgery. For example, Allen recently performed cardiac bypass surgery on a patient undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. This patient wouldn’t have been able to have the needed heart surgery if it were not for Allen and the da Vinci system.
These advancements show how robotic-assisted surgery is changing patient care for the better, making surgeries safer and more effective than ever before.
A Highly Trained Team
Prior to introducing cardiothoracic robotic surgery at AdventHealth Waterman, the team underwent months of rigorous training, including hands-on sessions with the experts at the Intuitive Surgical Lab, where the da Vinci system is manufactured.
“Our team dedicated countless hours to achieve the highest level of proficiency with this technology,” added Allen. “From simulations both in computer labs and in the operating room, we made sure the entire team was fully prepared to provide the highest level of care.”
The hospital also added a state-of-the-art robotic operating table, funded by the AdventHealth Waterman Foundation.
“We are incredibly grateful for all the work put into protecting the hearts of people in our region,” said Mabel Valdivia, AdventHealth Waterman Foundation executive director. “Thanks to the generosity of our incredible donors, we can continue to bring world-class clinical technology to our community.”
Exclusive heart care for Florida residents
This means patients can access the highest standard of care and the most innovative treatment options without traveling outside the community.
“Patients and their families no longer need to leave the area for life-saving robotic cardiac surgeries,” said Allen. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone has access to top-quality cardiovascular surgical care right here at home.”
Choose the health content that’s right for you, and get it delivered right in your inbox.
Recent News
For nearly 30 years, AdventHealth Foundation Central Florida’s Sharing Smiles initiative has transformed lives in Latin America by providing free cleft palate surgeries to children in need. These...
An Orlando teenager can once again eat her favorite foods this Thanksgiving after a life-saving kidney transplant at the AdventHealth Transplant Institute.
Newest relationship is with students and team members at AdventHealth University.
As Thanksgiving approaches, Thais Ordaz reflects on her journey with immense gratitude.
Health care and government leaders celebrate the much-anticipated expansion of AdventHealth University.
The new grade for fall 2024 is a national recognition for commitment to patient safety.
The newest Inspiring Wholeness podcast dives into pickleball’s spike in popularity, Orlando’s professional team and how to play the sport safely.
The 16-bed ER, located off Pleasant Hill Road, will be the first AdventHealth facility in the Poinciana community.
Rothman Orthopaedics and AdventHealth Surgery Center Innovation Tower are the first in the world to use an innovative digital tool for a total shoulder replacement surgery.
This Veteran’s Day, AdventHealth salutes one of their own who watched 9/11 and changed his life trajectory – eventually coming face-to-face with Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine partners with AdventHealth University to offer Master in Healthcare Administration pathway for OCOM students and employees.
To support the two schools’ athletic trainers in caring for student athletes, AdventHealth donated nearly $20,000 worth of new equipment and supplies.