MOBILE, Alabama (Aug. 3, 2026) A cardiothoracic surgeon at USA Health Providence Hospital recently performed a surgical procedure to seal off the left atrial appendage in a patient’s heart with a clip – the first such procedure in the area to be performed robotically.
The surgeon, Parker Mullen, M.D., said the precision of robot-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Xi enabled him and his team at Providence Hospital to address the patient’s atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm disorder, which could not be treated with more traditional methods because of the patient’s health history.
“This patient presented a real challenge for other minimally invasive options given their prior heart surgery. Performing this procedure robotically allowed us to operate with an exceptional level of precision while minimizing the impact on the patient,” said Mullen, who also serves as an assistant professor of surgery at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama. “For patients whose surgical and medical history limits traditional treatment options, this approach can provide a safe, effective alternative. It’s exciting to bring this to our region and expand access to innovative cardiothoracic care close to home.”…