Leading the changes in cardiac care: Dr. Kenneth Liao surpasses 800 robotic heart surgeries

Cardiac surgery is entering a new era. One marked by innovation, precision, small incision and faster recovery times. At the heart of this transformation is Dr. Kenneth Liao, chief of Cardiothoracic Transplantation and Circulatory Support and director of the Robotic Center for Cardiothoracic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, who led the robotic team at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center to successfully complete more than 800 robotic heart surgeries, a remarkable milestone that was reached last month. This not only reflects his expertise and efficiency but also underscores Baylor’s commitment to providing patients with state-of-the-art, minimally invasive treatment options.

Liao began his robotic heart surgery career journey more than two decades ago and has since become a nationally recognized expert in minimally invasive cardiac surgery. His 800-case milestone at Baylor Medicine and Baylor St. Luke’s over the past five years, along with the first fully robotic heart transplant in the U.S., has cemented Baylor’s position as the global leader in transforming future cardiac surgery toward a minimally invasive approach. Baylor St Luke’s robotic cardiac surgery program has been recognized as one of the best and most efficient ones in the nation, drawing a long list of visiting surgeons worldwide to visit Baylor St Luke’s.

“What matters most to me is helping patients return to their lives with excellent surgical outcomes, less pain, faster recovery and small surgical scars,” said Liao. “Reaching 800 robotic procedures is a team achievement, made possible by the incredible support of our surgical staff, nurses, cardiologists and hospital leadership.”

Robotic technology is expanding the possibilities of heart surgery, allowing for safer and more effective treatment in a variety of complex cases. Liao and his team regularly perform robotic-assisted procedures such as:

• Mitral valve repair and replacement
• Tricuspid valve repair and replacement
• Aortic valve procedures
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
• Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (MAZE procedure and LAA ligation)
• Congenital heart defect repair
• Complex reoperations (redo valve surgeries)
• Heart tumor resection
• Heart transplantation (select adult cases)

These advancements help patients avoid the trauma of a full sternotomy and offer a quicker, smoother recovery, which is especially important for those who are high-risk or previously considered inoperable.

Robotic-assisted heart surgery has revolutionized the way cardiac procedures are performed. Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, which often involves a large chest incision by splitting the breastbone and needs extended hospital stays, robotic heart surgery allows for:

• Small incision that spares splitting the sternum
• Less blood loss
• Less pain and scarring
• Reduced risk of complications
• Shorter hospital stays and quicker return to normal life
• May offer the second-chance options for those who are high-risk or previously considered inoperable.

Whether you’re a patient exploring your surgical options or a medical professional looking to learn from leaders in the field, Liao’s robotic heart surgery milestone of performing the first fully robotic heart transplant and the highest volume robotic heart surgery practice in Texas is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when surgical expertise meets innovation.

By Kelsey Scott, communications associate in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery