Man Receives Robotic Heart Transplant Without Chest Opening

A groundbreaking surgery took place in Texas as Dr. Kenneth Liao performed a fully robotic heart transplant on 45-year-old Tony Rosales Ibarra. The procedure, conducted at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center on March 15, saw Ibarra’s failing heart replaced without the need to open his chest. Unlike traditional methods, this innovative approach involved a surgical robot making a small incision above the patient’s belly button. Dr. Liao successfully removed Ibarra’s heart and implanted a donor organ through the abdomen, resulting in a less invasive process with reduced infection risks and quicker recovery time. This marks the first fully robotic heart transplant in the US, showcasing a significant advancement in the field of cardiac surgery. Ibarra is now cleared to resume normal activities. (Newser)