One of Saudi Arabia's top medical institutions, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) has recently reached a significant milestone.
The hospital's Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program has achieved a 98% survival rate in 400 robotic cardiac surgeries.
Saudi Arabia's King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) achieves 98% survival rate in 400 robotic cardiac surgeries, leading the way in minimally invasive procedures and improving patient outcomes.Image via King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Saudi Hospital Boast Succesful Robotic Surgeries
Launched in February 2019, KFSH&RC's Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program has performed 105 robotic surgeries in its first year alone. The hospital began robotic surgeries in 2003 and has since expanded to include various specialties such as urology, cardiology, transplant, and general surgeries.
The program's success is recognized globally, boasting the highest volume of robotic cardiac surgeries outside the USA and ranking among the top five worldwide, according to American Global Medical Surgical Robotics (GMSR). It is also acknowledged as the second-leading program globally for robotic aortic valve replacement (AVR).
KFSH&RC's Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program is distinguished by its ability to handle complex cases, including operations on children under 18-a feat no other hospital in the world has achieved using robotics.
The program also excels in performing surgeries on high-risk patients, such as those with morbid obesity and those requiring redo surgeries. Notably, KFSH&RC is the only hospital globally to perform robotic surgeries on patients undergoing their third cardiac redo procedures.
The procedures introduced by KFSH&RC, such as robotic multi-valve operations and robotic aortic valve replacements, have significantly improved patient outcomes.
These advancements have led to a reduction in blood transfusions, mechanical ventilation time, and hospital stays by over 50%, while also lowering costs by 40% compared to conventional methods.
The hospital's efforts align with a global shift towards value-based healthcare, which emphasizes better patient outcomes and cost-efficiency. The minimally invasive nature of robotic procedures allows patients to recover faster, experience fewer complications, and return to their daily lives more quickly.
KFSH&RC's influence extends internationally through its proctoring and training initiatives in Germany, the USA, and other countries.
More Hospitals Adopting Robotic Surgery Procedures
Globally, robotic surgery is on the rise, with projections indicating a 10.5% annual growth rate in the US alone from 2020 to 2030 - along with an impressive average survival rate of 95%. The medical robotics industry is expected to generate $14.5 billion in revenue by 2030.
Meanwhile, about 644,000 robotic surgeries were conducted in the US in 2021. This number is expected to approach 1 million in the next four years as more robot-assisted surgical devices are being approved by the FDA.
Despite the initial high costs associated with robotic surgery, the long-term benefits, including reduced complications, shorter hospital stays, and improved quality of life, have proven invaluable.
