Robotic Cardiac Surgery Achieves World-First: Seven Procedures In A Single Operation

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre has reported a complex robotic heart surgery on a woman in her seventies, during which seven separate cardiac problems were treated in one session. The operation used a fully robotic system and is described as the first documented case worldwide to combine this many heart interventions in a single robotic procedure.

The patient had multiple ongoing cardiac conditions, including congenital heart defects and adult acquired disease. Instead of scheduling several high‑risk operations over time, the team planned one coordinated robotic surgery. This single session avoided repeated anaesthesia, reduced cumulative risk, and aimed to shorten the overall treatment journey for the patient and family.

KFSHRC confirmed that the surgery did not use a traditional full chest opening. Surgeons operated through small incisions, assisted by robotic instruments and three‑dimensional visualisation. This method allowed highly controlled movements inside the heart while keeping external trauma limited, which is especially important in older patients with several existing health issues.

During the procedure, the team performed mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair, treated arrhythmia with a Maze procedure, and closed the left atrial appendage. They also created an atrial septal defect and reconstructed complex venous anatomy using double patch venous enlargement, all through the robotic system and minimal access points.

According to KFSHRC, this minimally invasive approach helped stabilise the patient’s condition and speed recovery. The hospital reported reduced surgical trauma, lower chances of complications, and full restoration of heart function. The patient left hospital eight days after surgery, which is considered an early discharge for such an extensive cardiac intervention.

A key feature of the case was the combination of two surgical domains usually handled separately. The heart showed adult acquired disease as well as structural congenital abnormalities. Managing both in one operation required expertise in each field and careful alignment of different treatment protocols so that the complex plan could be executed safely.

The hospital highlighted that robotic technology was central to the operation’s success. The system gave surgeons enhanced dexterity when working on delicate intracardiac structures and allowed multiple repairs through very limited access. This improved overall control, helped reduce bleeding, and lessened several risks often associated with standard open‑heart surgery and large sternotomy incisions.

KFSHRC stated that this milestone case supports its broader strategy to develop advanced cardiac care using integrated multidisciplinary teams. The project involved collaboration between cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists, imaging specialists, and intensive care staff. Each group contributed to pre‑operative planning, intra‑operative decision‑making, and close monitoring during the recovery phase.

The institution’s international standing has been reflected in several independent rankings. King Faisal Specialist Hospital has been placed first in the Middle East and North Africa and 12th worldwide among the top 250 Academic Medical Centers for 2026, and has been recognised as the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East by Brand Finance 2025.

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The hospital has also appeared in Newsweek listings for the World’s Best Hospitals 2025, the World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2026, and the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026. These assessments, together with the reported robotic heart surgery case, indicate the institution’s continuing role as a reference centre for complex procedures within Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

With inputs from SPA