A Malaysian hospital has achieved a Southeast Asian milestone by completing 35 robotic-assisted cardiac surgeries in 90 days using the da Vinci Xi system. Damansara Specialist Hospital 2 (DSH2), operated by KPJ Healthcare, reached this benchmark in October 2026—the first time any private or public facility in the Klang Valley had offered this advanced surgical method on such a scale.
This approach differs from conventional open-heart surgery by eliminating the need for a full breastbone incision. Instead, surgeons work through small incisions between the ribs, leveraging the da Vinci system’s three-dimensional magnification and precision instruments. While the technique can shorten recovery periods and reduce postoperative discomfort for suitable patients, eligibility depends on individual medical assessments.
Its partnership with the Mayo Clinic Care Network further strengthens its ability to integrate global best practices. The sheer volume, 35 cases in three months, demonstrates how robotic platforms, when paired with experienced teams, can streamline complex operations.
Professor Dr Shahrul Amry Hashim, the lead surgeon, emphasized that patient selection remains the cornerstone of success. “Not every patient who requires cardiac surgery is suitable for a robotic-assisted procedure. We assess each case carefully, taking into account the patient’s condition and the complexity of the operation before deciding on the most appropriate approach. For our team, performing 35 procedures within 90 days is an important achievement. The measure of our work, however, remains the care we provide to each patient, from the initial assessment through surgery and recovery,” he explained.
For patients, the shift toward robotic-assisted procedures could translate to reduced hospital stays and quicker returns to normal activities. However, the procedure is not suitable for every patient, and treatment decisions depend on individual clinical assessment. The achievement demonstrates the advanced cardiac care capabilities within KPJ Health System, Malaysia‘s first private academic health system.
KPJ Healthcare’s strategy integrates robotic surgery into its broader academic health system model, which merges clinical practice with education and research. The group manages 30 hospitals across Malaysia, treating 3.3 million patients annually, with 19 accredited by MSQH and 4 by JCI. DSH2 received the Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery of the Year, Asia Pacific 2025 award at the GlobalHealth Asia-Pacific Awards 2025, in recognition of its expertise in this field.
