New York Hospital Performs First Fully Robotic Double-Lung Transplant

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Facts

  • The world's first fully robotic double lung transplant was performed on Oct. 22 at the NYU Langone Health Center in Manhattan. The recipient was Cheryl Mehrkar, a 57-year-old New York resident, who has since been released from hospital.[1][2]
  • The procedure on Mehrkar, a scuba divemaster and motorcyclist whose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, marks a breakthrough in robotic surgery and minimally invasive transplants.[3][4]
  • Dr Stephanie H Chang, chief of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute's lung transplant program, led the surgery. She reportedly made small incisions between Mehrkar's ribs to allow the da Vinci Xi robotic system to replace her lungs.[5][6]
  • Following the surgery, and her discharge from the hospital, Mehrkar reportedly said: “I’ve been in awe." The patient, who also has an inherited genetic predisposition to lung diseases, added: "My breathing has improved 100%.”[7][8]
  • Mehrkar was placed on the lung transplant list only four days before the Oct. 22 surgery. In September, the hospital's doctors had carried out the first fully robotic single lung transplant, a procedure that aims to hasten recovery.[9][10]
  • In 2023, the NYU Langone Transplant Institute performed 76 lung transplants; NYU Langone surgeons carry out over 2K robot-aided surgeries a year. Dr Chang said her team is now looking to standardize the procedure conducted on Mehrkar.[4][9]

Sources: [1]BBC News, [2]Vice, [3]Health Tech World, [4]Quartz, [5]La Voce di New York, [6]PR Newswire, [7]New York Post, [8]People, [9]NYU Langone News and [10]USA Today.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by The Telegraph. Robotic surgery marks a revolutionary leap in organ transplantation, delivering unmatched precision and reducing complications for donors and recipients alike. This innovation is reshaping medical possibilities, ensuring safer procedures and better outcomes. While challenges like cost and accessibility remain, the global shift toward robotic methods highlights a profound transformation, promising a future where technology empowers surgeons to save lives with extraordinary efficiency.
  • Narrative B, as provided by PSNet. While robotic surgery promises precision and innovation, it carries significant risks that demand caution. Mechanical failures, like malfunctioning robotic arms, can complicate procedures, while extended surgery times increase patient vulnerability. Unique hazards, such as unintended burns from electrical arcing, add to the mix. Surgeon experience and robust training are critical to safety, yet these remain inconsistent. Robotic surgery requires a delicate balance of optimism and vigilance.