Tech Desk 
Nov 25, 2024
A team of surgeons successfully performed the world’s first fully robotic double-lung transplant at NYU Langone Health. This groundbreaking achievement signifies a monumental leap forward in invasive transplant procedures.
On October 22, the surgery was performed under the supervision of Stephanie Chang, NYU Langone's surgical director of the Lung Transplant Program.
Chang said: “Years ago I didn’t think a robotic lung transplant would be feasible. I thought it was going to be too technically complex. It hadn’t been done before and we did that.”
This transplant was performed on Cheryl Mehrkar, a 57-year-old woman who was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Procedure of world’s first fully robotic double-lung transplant
The surgery involved the da Vinci Xi robotic system — picture four robotic arms hanging from the ceiling with surgical tools at the ends. After the team executed fine incisions between the ribs, those four robotic arms removed the lungs to implant new lungs.
Mehrkar expressed her gratitude and stated: “I’m so grateful to the donor and their family for giving me another chance at life, for a long time, I was told I wasn’t sick enough for a transplant. The team at NYU Langone Health centered my quality of life as a priority, and I’m so grateful to the doctors and nurses here for giving me hope.”
The breakthrough aims to reduce the physical toll of major surgeries on patients by minimising trauma. “So when we think about robotic transplant, in general, overall it just allows for less trauma for the patient, better visualization,” Chang added.
The team is proactively working to limit the procedure and increase its efficiency. This breakthrough sets a new benchmark in transplantation, offering hope to patients worldwide.
