In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a surgical team at NYU Langone Health has performed the world’s first fully robotic double lung transplant. This historic procedure not only highlights the potential of robotic surgery but also cements NYU Langone as a global leader in innovative transplant care.
The surgery was led by Dr. Stephanie H. Chang, associate professor in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and surgical director of the Lung Transplant Program. Dr. Chang and her team used the Da Vinci Xi robotic system to perform the minimally invasive operation on a 57-year-old woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
“This latest innovation is a watershed moment in lung transplantation surgery worldwide and just the beginning of a new era in patient care,” said Dr. Ralph S. Mosca, the Henry H. Arnhold Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery at NYU Langone.
A minimally invasive approach
The surgery, conducted on October 22, 2024, utilized small incisions between the patient’s ribs, allowing the robotic system to remove the diseased lungs, prepare the surgical site, and implant the new lungs. This approach marks a significant advancement over traditional transplant methods, reducing postoperative pain and recovery time for patients.
“It is one of the greatest privileges to help patients return to a healthy quality of life,” said Dr. Chang. “By using these robotic systems, we aim to reduce the impact of this major surgery and give patients the best possible outcome.” This operation follows another milestone by Dr. Chang, who performed the nation’s first fully robotic single lung transplant just a month earlier.
A patient’s journey to hope
The recipient, Cheryl Mehrkar, had been battling COPD since 2010, a condition that worsened significantly after a bout with COVID-19 in 2022. A thrill-seeker and community volunteer, Mehrkar had led an active life as a scuba divemaster, motorcyclist, and karate black belt. However, her deteriorating health forced her to step back from her passions. “I’m so grateful to the donor and their family for giving me another chance at life,” said Mehrkar. “The team at NYU Langone centered my quality of life as a priority, and I’m so grateful to the doctors and nurses here for giving me hope.”
Advancing transplant care
NYU Langone’s Transplant Institute has been at the forefront of innovation, performing 76 lung transplants in 2023 alone. The institute leads the nation in lung survival rates and efficiency in removing patients from the transplant waitlist, according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.
“Our Transplant Institute team pushes the field forward to better serve our patients,” said Dr. Robert Montgomery, chair of the Department of Surgery and director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute. “This latest breakthrough in robotic surgery speaks to the culture of innovation we’ve built by bringing the most talented people together.”
NYU Langone has become a leader in robot-assisted surgical procedures, performing over 2,000 such surgeries annually. The institution’s expertise spans cardiac, bariatric, thoracic, gynecologic, and gastrointestinal specialities. Surgeons from around the world travel to NYU Langone to learn the latest robotic techniques, underscoring its status as a hub for surgical innovation.
About NYU Langone Health
A world-class academic medical center, NYU Langone Health is renowned for its excellence in patient care, education, and research. Ranked the No. 1 comprehensive academic medical center in the U.S. by Vizient Inc. for three consecutive years, the system encompasses six inpatient locations, the Perlmutter Cancer Center, and more than 300 outpatient facilities across New York and Florida.
With $14 billion in revenue this year, NYU Langone continues to lead advancements in healthcare while delivering top-tier patient experiences. Its Transplant Institute remains a beacon of hope for patients like Mehrkar, showcasing the transformative potential of robotic surgery.