The future is now.
A groundbreaking medical achievement was recently accomplished at NYU Langone Health in New York City, where a 57-year-old woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) underwent the world’s first fully robotic double lung transplant. This historic procedure, performed in October, was led by Dr. Stephanie Chang, who had previously conducted the nation’s first robotic single lung transplant just a month earlier. The innovative surgeries utilized the da Vinci Xi robotic system, enabling surgeons to replace damaged lungs through minimally invasive techniques, which reduce recovery time and pain for patients.
The recipient of the double lung transplant, Cheryl Mehrkar, had battled COPD since her diagnosis in 2010, which worsened significantly after contracting COVID-19 in 2022. Despite being told for years that she was not sick enough to qualify for a transplant, her condition eventually deteriorated to the point of needing the life-saving surgery. Just four days after being placed on the transplant list, Mehrkar underwent the robotic procedure, which involved precise incisions between her ribs to remove and replace her diseased lungs.
Mehrkar, a volunteer emergency medical technician and former scuba diving instructor, expressed deep gratitude to the donor and the medical team for giving her a renewed chance at life. Once a martial arts teacher who owned a dojo with her husband, she now looks forward to resuming a more active lifestyle, thanks to the cutting-edge medical care she received. Her story underscores the potential of robotic surgeries to not only save lives but also restore quality of life for patients with severe illnesses.
Dr. Chang, supported by her team including Dr. Travis Geraci and Dr. Eugene Grossi, highlighted the transformative potential of robotic lung transplants. By reducing the physical toll of major surgeries, these techniques aim to improve outcomes and reduce recovery time for patients. This breakthrough represents a significant leap forward in lung transplantation, setting the stage for similar innovations in the future and redefining standards of care in the field of cardiothoracic surgery.
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