First Robotic Double Lung Transplant Marks a New Era in Transplantation

October 22, 2024, marked a new era in transplantation when the surgical team at NYU Langone Health accomplished a major milestone, by performing a completely robotic 'double lung transplant' on Cheryl Mehrkar, 57. The team led by Lead surgeon Dr. Stephanie Chang used the da Vinci Xi robotic system, a modern tool meant for minimally invasive operations. The system mimics a surgeon's hand motions across tiny incisions using a 3D high-definition camera and precision instruments. Although single lung transplants have long been performed using it, this is the first time it has been used in a double lung operation. “Double lung transplants are more complicated since most patients need both lungs; thus, we needed to simplify the procedure to ensure efficiency without compromising the donated organs," Dr. Chang said. In addition, Dr. Chang expressed hope about the outcomes and expected Mehrkar to resume her beloved hobbies, so ushering a hopeful new chapter in her life. This milestone shows how robotic systems could revolutionize organ transplantation, opening the door to more exact, quick, and minimally invasive treatments in the future.