SS Innovations has announced a major milestone in robotic surgery with the successful completion of the first cardiac procedure in the Western Hemisphere using its SSi Mantra 3 surgical robotic system.
The procedure, a robotic atrial septal defect (ASD) closure, was performed by renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Juan Zuniga on June 8 at Interhospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The successful surgery underscores SS Innovations' mission to expand access to advanced robotic surgery globally, offering a more cost-effective alternative to existing robotic platforms.
"Following SSi Mantra’s introduction into Latin American robotic surgery, we wanted to explore its potential in more complex fields like cardiovascular surgery," said Dr. Zuniga. "The system was remarkably easy to handle and provided excellent control. Postoperative imaging with transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the complete closure of the atrial defect. We are extremely pleased with both the outcome and the patient’s recovery."
This procedure marks another step in the SSi Mantra system's growing presence ahead of its anticipated FDA submission in July for multispecialty use, including cardiac, urology, gynecology, thoracic, and general surgery.
Launched in 2024, the SSi Mantra 3 system features a modular, multi-arm design that emphasizes surgeon ergonomics, high-definition 3D visualization, and machine learning–enhanced workflow optimization. To date, 37 systems have been installed globally, with over 750 procedures performed using the latest platform, including 70 cardiac surgeries. In total, SS Innovations reports more than 3,800 procedures worldwide with no device-related mortality, injury, or major complications.
"Minimally invasive robotic surgery allows for significantly faster recovery, reduced blood loss, and more precise tissue handling," added Dr. Zuniga. "The precision offered by the system gives surgeons confidence that each suture is placed accurately, minimizing complications."
Founded with a vision to make robotic surgery more accessible, particularly in emerging markets, SS Innovations began commercial sales in 2022. The SSi Mantra platform now supports over 40 types of robotic endo-surgical instruments and has been successfully deployed in more than 100 different procedures in India alone.