Faster recovery time for patients thanks to NUH’s Hybrid Operating Theatre

SINGAPORE: Patients have benefitted from faster recovery time after undergoing minimally invasive procedures at NUH’s Hybrid Operating Theatre.

There is also a lower risk of infection for patients as the theatre has integrated systems which allow surgeons, cardiologists and radiologists to work closely in the same location.

Since its opening in December 2011, some 150 patients have benefited from this multi—disciplinary approach.

One of them is Yang Sen Phaik, who suffers from heart disease, diabetes and kidney failure. He had bypass operations to ensure there is adequate blood supply to his legs.

But recently, the second bypass operation on his leg failed. And if left untreated, his leg would have to be amputated.

So Mr Yang opted for a minimally invasive procedure at NUH which involved a small incision at the top of his leg. A stent was inserted and then a bypass was done to the lower part of the knee at the same time.

The operation lasted for only two and a half hours and he recovered after one night in the High Dependency Unit.

Associate Professor Peter Robless, senior consultant with the National University Heart Centre (Singapore), said: "The traditional way of treating him would be to put a stent into the upper part of the leg and subsequently a few days later, come for a surgery, which is a long bypass operation under general anaesthesia.

"In the past, he would have stayed for two weeks in hospital recovering from anaesthesia, a long cut in his leg, slow rehabilitation as well."

Specialists said they expect to see more patients with multiple conditions which may be costly to treat. The situation could be eased with this one—stop operating theatre as patients benefit from a shorter stay and a quicker recovery.

—CNA/ac