Health City Cayman Islands has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in Caribbean healthcare by successfully performing its inaugural robotic-assisted cardiac surgeries. This medical breakthrough positions the Cayman Islands among an elite group of global centers offering fully robotic cardiac interventions, fundamentally transforming advanced heart care accessibility throughout the region.
The pioneering procedures were conducted under the leadership of Dr. Binoy Chattuparambil, Head of Cardiac Surgery and Clinical Director at Health City. The development follows an intensive training period and strategic clinical partnership with Atlanta’s Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, recognized globally as a premier high-volume robotic cardiac surgery center.
World-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Douglas Murphy, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, provided expert mentorship throughout the program’s development. With over 4,000 robotic mitral valve surgeries to his credit, Dr. Murphy continues to provide supervisory oversight while Dr. Binoy and the Health City cardiac team perform the actual procedures.
Robotic cardiac surgery represents a paradigm shift in treatment methodology. Utilizing the advanced da Vinci robotic system, surgeons operate through miniature incisions with enhanced precision instruments, significantly reducing bodily trauma compared to traditional open-heart procedures. This technological approach dramatically improves patient outcomes across multiple metrics.
“The recovery acceleration represents one of robotic cardiac surgery’s most significant advantages,” Dr. Murphy explained. “Within our Emory program, most patients discharge within 48 hours and resume normal activities within three weeks, compared to the two-to-three month recovery typical of conventional cardiac surgery.”
The safety profile shows equally remarkable improvements, with robotic mitral valve repair carrying stroke risks often below 0.5% compared to 2-3% for traditional open surgery. Mortality rates remain consistently below 0.5% in high-volume robotic centers, reflecting the reduced trauma and enhanced surgical precision enabled by robotic technology.
Dr. Binoy characterized this achievement as transformational for Caribbean healthcare: “Performing these advanced procedures locally eliminates the necessity for patients to travel overseas for world-class cardiac care. The combination of reduced recovery time, lower complication rates, and enhanced patient experience represents extraordinary progress for our region.”
Health City’s robotic cardiac program will expand to include cardiac valve repair/replacement, intracardiac tumor removal, and additional robotic interventions as capabilities develop. This expansion will further reduce hospital stays, accelerate recovery timelines, and improve clinical outcomes within the local healthcare ecosystem.
This development solidifies Health City Cayman Islands’ status as a center of excellence for advanced heart care while significantly strengthening the national health system’s capabilities. The achievement notably positions the Cayman Islands as the Caribbean’s leader in robotic surgical innovation, marking a new chapter in regional healthcare dating back to 1951 when Cuba established the Caribbean’s first known cardiac surgery centers.