Nicklaus Children's Performs First Pediatric Robotic Cardiac Surgery in Florida
Event summary
- Nicklaus Children's Hospital completed Florida's first pediatric robotic-assisted atrial septal defect (ASD) repair on August 27, 2026.
- The procedure was performed in collaboration with Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Florida International University.
- Robotic-assisted surgery offers benefits including smaller incisions, faster recovery, and improved cosmetic outcomes compared to traditional open-heart surgery.
- Nicklaus Children's is now among the few hospitals nationwide offering robotic-assisted cardiac interventions for pediatric patients.
The big picture
While robotic systems are widely adopted in adult surgical specialties, their use in pediatric and congenital heart surgery remains limited due to technical expertise and patient selection requirements. This milestone positions Nicklaus Children's as a leader in advanced, minimally invasive care for children with congenital heart disease, a condition affecting nearly 1% of newborns in the U.S. The collaboration with Baptist Health and Florida International University underscores the importance of multidisciplinary expertise in driving innovation in pediatric cardiac care.
What we're watching
- Adoption Pace
- The pace at which robotic-assisted pediatric cardiac surgery will be adopted by other specialized centers nationwide.
- Patient Outcomes
- How the long-term outcomes of robotic-assisted procedures compare to traditional open-heart surgery in pediatric patients.
- Regulatory Landscape
- Whether regulatory frameworks will evolve to support broader use of robotic-assisted technologies in pediatric surgery.