Robotic, Cardiovascular, Weight-Loss and General Surgery

Whenever possible, the surgical staff at South Texas Health System Heart uses innovative ways to use minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques that make surgery and recovery easier on patients. In some cases however, surgeons may need to perform standard, open procedures, depending on your diagnosis and needs.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a method in which a procedure is performed using small tools attached to a robotic arm, which the surgeon controls with a computer. Small incisions are made to insert the instruments into your body. A thin tube with a camera attached to the end of it enables the surgeon to view enlarged 3-D images of the body as the surgery is being performed.

da Vinci Xi Surgical SystemSTHS Heart offers the da Vinci® Xi® Surgical System. Using this system, surgeons can operate on a patient via one or more small incisions, typically less than or equal to one centimeter long as opposed to the large incisions that may be required in traditional surgery. Robotic assisted surgeries offered at STHS Heart include:

  • Hernias (hiatal, incisional, inguinal, umbilical, ventral, spigelian)
  • Bariatrics
  • Gallbladder removals 
  • Colorectal (colectomy, colostomy, lower anterior resection)

Robotic assisted surgery allows surgeons to perform complex, minimally invasive procedures with a surgical approach aimed at improving patient outcomes, such as faster recovery and less risk of infection, and the overall patient experience, including fewer and small scars and shorter hospital stays.

Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if robotic surgery is right for you.

Find a Surgeon

To find a surgeon who's right for you or to make an appointment, call the South Texas Health System Reserve and Learn line at 800-879-1033.

Heart Surgery

From open heart surgery to minimally-invasive procedures, we offer safe and effective solutions for almost any heart condition. Our small size allows our cardiac surgeons intervene in emergency cardiac situations in record time. Door to Balloon (D2B) time is the time it takes to get a cardiac patient from the hospital entrance to artery-clearing balloon percutaneous coronary intervention, such as angioplasty. At South Texas Health System Heart, we consistently strive for and achieve D2B times below the national standard of 90 minutes. Our speed in treating heart patients saves lives.

Our surgeons operate in hybrid operating rooms that allow patients to receive safer procedures. In a hybrid operating room situation, the room itself changes to fit the needs of each specialist while a patient stays where they are. If medically necessary, surgeons are able to change course and start a new procedure.

Read More About Heart Surgery

Vascular Surgery

Vascular surgery is a treatment for people with disorders of the circulatory system. These disorders fall into two broad categories: atherosclerosis, which affects the arterial system, and thrombophlebitis, which affects the venous system. The past decade has seen numerous diagnostic and technological advances in treatment of vascular problems including in ultrasound enhancement, angioplasty, stenting devices and improved imaging techniques. Because vascular disease involves multiple systems of the body, the care team often requires the combined efforts of a surgeon, radiologist and internist.

Read More About Vascular Treatments

Bariatric Surgery for Weight Loss

The bariatric surgery program at South Texas Health System Heart offers surgical weight-loss options, including minimally invasive procedures that can help people lose weight and improve their health. Our weight-loss surgery program is accredited for bariatric surgery by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). To earn the designation, South Texas Health System Heart has demonstrated that our weight-loss surgery center meets the needs of our patients by providing multidisciplinary, high-quality, patient-centered care.

Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if weight-loss surgery is right for you

Read More About Weight-Loss Surgery

General Surgery

Our surgeons at South Texas Health System Heart don't just treat heart disease. They also treat simple and complex hernias, gastrointestinal problems, colon cancer, anorectal disorders, hemorrhoids and inflammatory bowel disease; diseases of the gallbladder, pancreas and liver; endocrine problems; and benign and malignant disease of the breast.

Our general surgery staff have developed national and international reputations for pioneering advancements in treating complex colorectal problems and fecal incontinence, nutrition and managing liver tumors.