ACS Fellow Leads World's First Fully Robotic Double Lung Transplant

Cardiothoracic surgeon Stephanie H. Chan, MD, FACS, led the surgical team that performed the procedure. The world's first fully robotic double lung transplantrepresents a breakthrough in minimally invasive robotic implantation surgery.

The surgery at NYU Langone Health's Transplant Institute in New York City was successful in late October. The 57-year-old patient was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 2010 and remains in good health. Dr. Chang is the Surgeon-in-Chief of the Transplant Institute and Associate Professor of Surgery at New York University Grossman School of Medicine.

Dr. Chan was assisted by fellow cardiac surgeon Eugene A. Grossi, MD, FACS, and Stephen B. Colvin, MD, professor of cardiothoracic surgery at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine.

Using minimally invasive, fully robotic surgery, Dr. Chan and her team were able to remove the lungs, prepare the surgical site for transplantation, and implant both new lungs.

Just one month ago, Dr. Chan also led a team in the country's first fully robotic single-lung transplant.

“It is one of our greatest privileges to be able to help patients return to a healthy quality of life,” Dr. Chan said in a NYU Langone news release. “By using these robotic systems, we aim to reduce the impact of this major surgery on patients, minimize post-operative pain and provide patients with the best possible outcomes. ”