This Saudi Hospital Has Achieved A Milestone With 400 Robotic Surgeries And A 98% Survival Rate

The Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) in Saudi Arabia announced an outstanding achievement. The program began in February 2019 and has successfully completed 400 robotic heart surgeries with a 98% survival rate, resulting in quicker patient recovery and fewer problems.

The minimally invasive nature of robotic procedures has significantly shortened hospital stays by over 50%, resulting in a 40% reduction in overall costs compared to conventional methods. This efficiency allows patients to return to their daily lives more quickly, enhancing the program’s value. The facility has completed complex surgeries like aortic valve replacements and robotic multi-valve operations. The program began with 105 treatments in its initial year and has since grown to include over 400 successful surgeries.

Additionally, the program made progress in managing high-risk patients, such as minors under the age of 18, those suffering from severe obesity, and those in need of recurrent procedures. Notably, KFSH&RC is the first hospital in the world that operates on children to undertake robotic heart surgery.

Feras Khaliel from KFSH&RC was proud of the surgical team’s accomplishments. He said, “We are happy that everyone in our team was a part of this success. We thank our cardiologists for consistently referring patients to robotic and minimally invasive cardiac surgery approaches.”

This accomplishment is in line with the global movement in healthcare towards value-based care, which puts an emphasis on improved patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness. With advancements like the AI-powered medical robot Misso in India and the MRI-compatible surgical robot from AiM Medical Robotics, which provides real-time soft tissue imaging and intelligent intraoperative planning, robotic surgery is becoming increasingly popular worldwide.

Robotic surgery can have more extraordinary upfront expenses since it requires specialised equipment. Still, in the long run, shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and an enhanced quality of life make it a priceless development in modern medicine.