Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has made history by successfully completing the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant.
This groundbreaking surgery was led by Dr. Feras Khaliel, who is the head of Cardiac Surgery and the director of the Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery Program at the hospital.
The operation was done on a 16-year-old patient suffering from end-stage heart failure, a condition where the heart can no longer pump blood effectively.
The surgery took just two and a half hours, a much shorter time compared to traditional heart transplants. One of the most remarkable aspects of this procedure was that it was performed entirely by robotic technology, avoiding the need to open the patient’s chest, as is normally required in heart transplants. This less invasive method reduces the risks of complications, pain, and recovery time for patients.
Before performing the actual surgery, the team went through extensive virtual training to ensure the operation would be as precise and safe as possible. The success of this surgery marks a huge step forward in medical technology and heart transplant techniques.
Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad, CEO of KFSHRC, highlighted the importance of this achievement, saying it aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of advancing healthcare and innovation in the country. This medical milestone not only benefits patients but also showcases Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership in the field of robotic surgery and medical advancements.
