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Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | November 25, 2024
Photo courtesy of NYU Langone
A surgical team at NYU Langone Health has performed the world’s first fully robotic double lung transplant.
The procedure, which took place on Oct. 22, 2024, utilized the da Vinci Xi robotic system at every stage, underscoring advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Led by Dr. Stephanie H. Chang, surgical director of the Lung Transplant Program at the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, the team replaced both lungs of 57-year-old Cheryl Mehrkar, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The surgery involved small incisions between the ribs, allowing robotic tools to remove the damaged lungs, prepare the site, and implant the new organs. Dr. Chang was assisted by a multidisciplinary team, including Dr. Travis C. Geraci and Dr. Eugene A. Grossi.
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Mehrkar, who inherited a genetic predisposition to lung disease, was diagnosed with COPD in 2010. Her condition worsened after contracting COVID-19 in 2022. Despite years of managing her health, she was told she was not sick enough for a transplant until recently. After months of evaluation, she was added to the transplant list just four days before her surgery.
“I'm so grateful to the donor and their family for giving me another chance at life,” Mehrkar said. “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 achievement follows NYU Langone’s completion of the first fully robotic single lung transplant in the U.S. last month, solidifying the institution’s leadership in robotic transplant surgery. Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, emphasized the innovation's significance. “This latest breakthrough speaks to the culture of innovation we've built by bringing the most talented people in their fields together.”
NYU Langone performed 76 lung transplants in 2023, earning recognition as the nation’s leader in lung transplant outcomes, according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. This latest accomplishment represents a step forward in robotic-assisted procedures, reducing recovery times and improving patient outcomes.
