November 18, 2025- Cleveland Clinic Children’s is the first in the United States to perform a minimally invasive gallbladder removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) using a magnetic-assisted surgical technology that recently received FDA clearance for pediatric use. The procedure was performed in early October by Miguel Guelfand, M.D., head of pediatric general and thoracic surgery at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. The patient has been recovering well following the procedure.
The magnetic-assisted system by Levita® Magnetics uses an external magnet to control a small internal instrument that can gently hold or move organs inside the abdomen during surgery.