Heart surgeon makes history, performs first robotic procedure of its kind
A surgeon in Michigan has performed the world’s first single-port robotic mitral valve repair, highlighting a new minimally invasive treatment option for leaky mitral valves.
The surgery typically requires a five-port technique. This new single-port approach, however, saves patients a lot of pain and helps them recover much more quickly. Rakesh M. Suri, MD, DPhil, regional director of cardiac surgery robotics and innovation at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, performed the procedure.
“For two decades, we’ve worked to make heart surgery safer and less invasive,” Suri said in a statement. “With single-port robotic surgery, we can now repair the heart through one small robotic port and a tiny access incision—streamlining the procedure, reducing complexity and enhancing safety—ultimately delivering a better experience and better outcomes for patients.”
The patient undergoing this historic procedure was Patrick O’Brien, a 60-year-old male and longtime Corewell Health patient.
“I watched my dad go through two open-heart surgeries in the 1980s, and the recovery was long and difficult,” he said. “Less than a week after my procedure, I’m already back to many of my normal activities.”
O’Brien added that he lost his wife to cancer in 2025. This helped him decide to focus more on his own health going forward.
“This procedure has given me a new lease on life,” he said. “I’ve always joked about winning the lottery one day, but being given a second chance at life feels even better. I couldn't be more grateful to Dr. Suri and his team.”
Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital is a large teaching hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. It first opened in 1955 and represents one of the flagship facilities of the Corewell Health health system. In 2025, it was ranked one of the top U.S. hospitals for cardiology, heart surgery and vascular surgery by U.S. News & World Report.
“We are continuously challenging ourselves to think differently and use our expertise to improve the patient experience,” Lamont Yoder, RN, president of Corewell Health in Southeast Michigan, said in the same statement. “Innovations like this strengthen our position as a leader in advanced cardiac care and help establish Corewell Health as a destination for patients across the Midwest and beyond.”
Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.