How Robots Improve Patient Outcomes

Using a surgical robot, lead surgeon Dr. Kenneth Liao and his team made small, precise incisions, eliminating the need to open the chest and break the breast bone. Liao removed the diseased heart, and the new heart was implanted through preperitoneal space, avoiding chest incision. "Opening the chest and spreading the breastbone can affect wound healing and delay rehabilitation and prolong the patient's recovery, especially in heart transplant patients who take immunosuppressants," said Liao, professor and chief of cardiothoracic transplantation and circulatory support at Baylor College of Medicine and chief of cardiothoracic transplantation and mechanical circulatory support at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. "With the robotic approach, we preserve the integrity of the chest wall, which reduces the risk of infection and helps with early mobility, respiratory function and overall recovery." In addition to less surgical trauma, the clinical benefits of robotic heart transplant surgery include avoiding excessive bleeding from cutting the bone and reducing the need for blood transfusions, which minimizes the risk of developing antibodies against the transplanted heart. Before the transplant surgery, the 45-year-old patient had been hospitalized with advanced heart failure since November 2024 and required multiple mechanical devices to support his heart function. He received a heart transplant in early March 2025 and after heart transplant surgery, he spent a month in the hospital before being discharged home, without complications.

Here's what I learned after documenting a day of robotic joint surgeries: Data changes everything. More information means better decisions, personalized for each patient. In all ten cases we performed, not one followed the default plan. That's not a bug - it's a feature. Some surgeons prefer Mechanical Alignment, others Kinematic. The choice matters less than your willingness to adapt based on what you learn during surgery. If you're not adjusting your implant plan case by case, you're missing the point of having advanced technology. Speaking of technology: No, it won't slow you down. We maintained our two-room flow schedule precisely. Like any tool, efficiency comes with practice. But here's the key insight: Using a robot doesn't make you robotic. My PA could handle the mechanical steps - placing pins, registering bones, making cuts. But they can't do the surgeon's work: feeling ligament tension, evaluating tissue response, making judgment calls. The robot is a tool, not a surgeon replacement. It's like having superhuman sensing abilities while maintaining your surgical instincts. I used to think I was a good surgeon. Now, with robotic assistance, I'm better. Not because of magical thinking, but because I can gather more data and make more informed decisions for each unique patient. The future isn't about choosing between mechanical and kinematic alignment philosophies. It's about using data to personalize each surgery, taking the best from both approaches. This is an open invitation: Let's make surgery better together. Share your experiences. Challenge these ideas. Help us all improve. Because in the end, it's not about the robot. It's about better outcomes for real people. (I attached the obligatory video of 2 week post op patient to prove robots are superior, or at least as good as a Brian Fuller DFR) Thanks for the lively discussion Ryan “Saw-Bones” Molli, D.O., F.A.A.H.K.S., F.A.A.O.S. Craig Loucks, MD Ilan Freedman Christopher Palmer, D.O. Bob Marchand Chris McClellan, DO Muthu Ganapathi David Crawford Philipp Proier Florian Dibra, MD Edouard Saget Jim Pierrepont Paul B. Jacob DO, MSPT, FAAOS Paul Lombardi MD Rajesh Krishnankutty Johnny Caffaro Peter Verrillo Seth Turnoff Matthew Ray Scott

Excellent article here detailing HCA Healthcare, the country’s largest for-profit hospital operator that now employs about 20 different robotic platforms across its centers, or a total of 933 robots as of February. HCA Healthcare seems fully committed to advancing this technology, not just by acquiring robots but by building comprehensive robotic programs that enhance patient care. Some key takeaways from the article are below. Key Advancements in Robotic Surgery at HCA Healthcare: - Over one million robotic procedures performed - Nearly one thousand robots deployed across their hospitals - Surgeon-Led Innovation - Surgeons, not administrators, drive technology selection - Investments focus on platforms that improve patient outcomes Better Patient Outcomes - Reduced complications, less blood loss, and shorter recovery times - Increased efficiency leading to cost-effective care The Future of Robotics in Surgery - AI and computational advancements will further enhance precision (NVIDIA) - New surgeons now expect robotics as a core part of their practice The Mullings Group leverages insights like these to help early-stage robotic companies navigate the market, refine their go-to-market strategies, and educate them on what leading healthcare systems, like HCA Healthcare, prioritize when integrating new robotic technologies. #buildingcompanies #buildingcareers