Saudi Arabia: Hospital performs first fully robotic heart transplant in 2.5 hour operation | WION
Original story published 2024-09-14 01:05:56
STORY SUMMARY
Saudi Arabia has achieved a major milestone in medical technology with the successful completion of its first fully robotic heart transplant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital. Performed on a 16-year-old patient, the 2.5-hour surgery was preceded by seven virtual practice sessions. This innovative procedure is expected to reduce pain, shorten recovery times, and minimize complications compared to traditional open-chest surgery. The breakthrough is anticipated to revolutionize heart transplants and enhance patient outcomes, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global medical advancements.
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Saudi Arabia has announced a significant advancement in medical technology with the successful completion of its first fully robotic heart transplant. On Thursday, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center reported that their surgical team performed this groundbreaking procedure on a 16-year-old patient. The hospital released a video showcasing the surgery, which was completed in approximately 2.5 hours. Dr. Ahmed Al-Harbi, head of cardiac surgery and director of the robotics and minimally invasive surgery program, confirmed the operation’s success and noted that the team had practiced the procedure virtually seven times over three days prior to the actual surgery.
This new robotic technique is anticipated to revolutionize heart transplants by eliminating the need for traditional open-chest surgery. The hospital believes that robotic technology will enable minimally invasive procedures, which are expected to reduce patient pain, shorten recovery times, and lower the risk of complications. The implementation of this technology is seen as a significant step forward in cardiac care, with potential benefits including enhanced patient outcomes and a quicker return to normal activities.
Experts and medical professionals are hopeful that this advancement will set a new standard for heart transplant procedures in the future. The success of this fully robotic surgery represents a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s medical field and underscores the country’s growing role in global healthcare innovation. The positive results from this procedure could pave the way for broader adoption of robotic surgery techniques in treating complex cardiac conditions.
