Malaysian Patient Receives Pioneering Robotic Heart Surgery in Beijing

"I never imagined heart surgery could be this quick and painless. I thought I would need open-chest surgery, but now I can walk normally, and the pain in my chest is completely gone!" said Mr. Ahmad, a 61-year-old patient from Malaysia, reflecting on his condition just days after his surgery on October 14.

Mr. Ahmad’s condition was far more complex than expected. After being diagnosed with severe mitral valve insufficiency by a local hospital, he sought further treatment at Beijing Fuwai Hospital. Upon further examination, specialists found that, in addition to the mitral valve not closing properly, leading to significant blood reflux and increased heart strain, he also had large lung bullae—vulnerable air pockets in the lungs that could rupture and cause life-threatening pneumothorax. Both conditions required urgent surgical intervention.

Considering Mr. Ahmad’s age and limited physical tolerance, the hospital quickly initiated a multidisciplinary approach. A team of heart specialists, chest surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other experts evaluated his case and decided to use the advanced fourth-generation Da Vinci robotic surgery system. This minimally invasive surgery would address both issues simultaneously, allowing for a safer and more precise procedure.

Under the surgical lights, Chief Surgeon Dr. Wang Sheng led the team, assisted by Dr. Lu Guoqing, Dr. Ding Zhiwei, and other specialists. Using a 3D high-definition endoscope, the team was able to observe the patient's heart in real time and direct the Da Vinci robot’s four arms to perform the surgery with remarkable precision.

The robot's delicate mechanical arms entered the chest through three small incisions and one 4-centimeter opening. Three of the robotic arms held surgical instruments, while the fourth was used for lighting and imaging. Unlike traditional surgery, the robotic wrists could rotate 540 degrees, allowing the team to work even in narrow, hard-to-reach areas around the heart.

The surgical team first carefully separated the adhesions around the mitral valve, then precisely repaired the damaged valve and annuloplasty ring to eliminate blood reflux. Meanwhile, Dr. Guo Jiajia, a chest surgeon, skillfully removed the large bullae from Mr. Ahmad’s lungs. The entire procedure was performed with minimal bleeding, and the operation was stable and precise.

Mr. Ahmad's recovery was even faster than expected. Just the day after surgery, he was taken off the ventilator and was breathing on his own. Two days later, he was transferred from the intensive care unit (ICU) to a regular ward. Follow-up echocardiograms confirmed that his mitral valve was no longer leaking, and his heart function had improved. By the time he was discharged, he could eat normally and walk slowly, with all chest and back pain completely gone.

The key to Mr. Ahmad’s rapid recovery was the minimally invasive robotic surgery. With smaller incisions, less pain, fewer complications, and a shorter recovery time of 1-2 weeks, the robotic surgery allowed him to heal much faster than traditional methods would have allowed.