Robotic Oncology Center
 
 

Cardiothoracic Robotic Surgery

UC Irvine Health cardiothoracic specialists offer robot-assisted procedures to treat cardiovascular disease. Such procedures can give patients all the benefits of conventional open-heart surgery with the recovery advantages of minimally invasive techniques, including:

  • Smaller incisions
  • Less blood loss
  • Lower risk of infection
  • Faster recovery

Specific robot-assisted procedures performed by cardiovascular surgeons include:

  • Lobectomy for lung cancer
  • Resection of mediastinal tumors
  • Mediastinal lymph node staging
  • Closure of atrial septal defect
  • Surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation

The robotic center at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange uses the latest technology to treat cancer. It is one of a handful of multidisciplinary robotic oncology centers in the United States and the first of its kind in Orange County. Through the center at Orange County's only university hospital, patients have access to the expertise and care provided by our highly skilled team of surgeons, nurses and technicians who specialize in using the da Vinci Surgical System®.

For appointments, please call 877-399-IROC (877-399-4762).

Clinical Team

Jeffrey Milliken, MD Jeffrey Milliken, MD
Cardiothoracic surgeon


A nationally recognized cardiac surgeon and chief of the UC Irvine Health School of Medicine's Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dr. Milliken was instrumental in bringing the first surgical robot to Orange County. He has experience performing robot-assisted thymectomy, thoracic procedures and wedge resection. Milliken is working to bring robotic cardiac valve repair and revascularization to UC Irvine Medical Center and continues to promote robotic lung and mediastinal surgery for benign and malignant tumors. He has appeared regularly on the list of "The Best Doctors in America," in various "Who's Who" listings and in the "Guide to America's Top Surgeons."

Learn more about Dr. Milliken ›