From Cookeville Regional medical Center:

Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) is proud to announce a milestone for Dr. Timothy Powell, a cardiothoracic surgeon at CRMC, who has successfully completed his first coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using the state-of-the-art da Vinci robotic surgical system on January 16, 2025.

The patient, 65-year-old Terry File, required the removal of one arterial blockage to restore optimal blood flow to his heart. The CABG procedure, often referred to as bypass surgery or heart bypass surgery, reroutes blood around blocked arteries to improve circulation and heart function. By utilizing the da Vinci robotic system, Dr. Powell and the surgical team performed the operation with unparalleled precision, offering benefits such as smaller incisions, reduced recovery times, and minimized surgical risks compared to traditional open-heart surgery.

“Performing my first robotic CABG at CRMC is significant because it provides an additional option for treatment. We always want to do what is best for our patients,” said Dr. Powell. “Mr. File qualified for his CABG to be done robotically. We look at patients with single-vessel disease involving the artery on the front of the heart left anterior descending (LAD), patients who might be too frail to have traditional sternotomy, and patients with two-vessel disease involving the LAD with the second vessel being appropriate for stenting. We anticipate the indications will evolve with time as we get more experience. The da Vinci robot allows us to deliver high-quality, minimally invasive care, and we’re excited to bring these benefits to more patients in the future.”

Terry File is recovering well and is expected to resume his daily activities with an improved quality of life. His successful procedure exemplifies the potential of robotic-assisted technology in transforming cardiac care.

“This achievement underscores CRMC’s dedication to providing cutting-edge medical solutions for our community,” said Buffy Key, CEO of Cookeville Regional Medical Center. “Dr. Powell’s incredible expertise, combined with the advanced capabilities of the da Vinci robotic system, ensures that our patients have access to world-class care right here in Cookeville.”

Having robotic-assisted CABG surgery at CRMC reflects the hospital’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in patient care. As a regional healthcare leader, CRMC continues expanding its capabilities to meet the community’s evolving needs.