Welcome to the Robotic Surgery Institute

USC Robotic Surgery Institute is the brainchild of Vaughn A. Starnes, M.D., a pioneering cardiothoracic surgeon who was one of the first of his peers to see the potential for robotic surgery. He and his colleagues led the effort to become the first surgery team in Southern California to perform heart surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System, repairing the mitral valve of a patient using robotic surgery.

Vaughn A. Starnes, MD at the daVinci Surgical System surgeon's console

* Robotic Cardiac Surgery
* Robotic Thoracic Surgery
* Benefits of Robotic Surgery
* Future of USC Robotic Surgery

The USC Robotic Surgery Institute is devoted to conducting clinical and bench research to advance the use of robotic techniques in the fields of heart and lung surgery. While its initial efforts will focus on cardiothoracic techniques, the lab will eventually encompass all surgical specialties that could benefit from robotic surgery such as general surgery, urology and orthopedics.

Making History

da Vinci Surgical Arm CartWhen Vaughn A. Starnes, M.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, took a seat at the instrument control console of the da Vinci Surgical System on April 27, 2001, he prepared to make history yet again -- becoming the first cardiothoracic surgeon in Southern California to perform heart surgery using a robot.

With the introduction of groundbreaking robotic heart surgery and off-pump, beating heart surgery, USC Cardiothoracic Surgeons continues its tradition of visionary innovation. Our goal? To focus our clinical and research efforts on expanding the treatment alternatives for our patients with cardiothoracic conditions. We want to give patients direct access to the latest treatment approaches, using innovation as a guide when conventional therapy is not an option.

With cardiothoracic surgery leading the way, the Robotic Surgery Institute promises to create new treatment alternatives for patients – and a new era of excellence for USC.