King Faisal Specialist Hospital cuts post-surgery stay for children with heart defects by 44%

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh has succeeded in reducing the length of hospital stays for children following surgery for congenital heart defects by 44% for cases eligible for minimally invasive procedures, lowering the average stay from nine days with traditional surgery to five days using the new technique.

This achievement is part of the hospital’s minimally invasive congenital heart surgery program for children, launched in mid-2023. The program uses a small incision between the ribs to access the heart, instead of fully opening the chest bone as in conventional surgery.

The program further strengthens King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre’s position as a regional leader in advanced pediatric cardiac surgery, and it is the only center in the region performing minimally invasive procedures to treat left-sided heart defects in children.

Dr. Hani Al-Sarajani, Executive Director of the Heart Center of Excellence at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, said the successful use of minimally invasive surgery in 54 pediatric cases demonstrates the program’s ability to handle complex and delicate conditions. He noted that this approach reduces surgical impact on the chest wall, lessens post-operative pain, supports early breathing and movement, and speeds up recovery, making the treatment experience less burdensome for children and their families.

Dr. Maryam Al-Omayer, Director of the Minimally Invasive Congenital Heart Surgery Program for Children, explained that this type of surgery requires a high level of precision due to the small anatomical structures of children and the sensitivity of cardiac procedures.

She added that the success of these operations depends on the integration of cardiac surgery, anesthesia, and intensive care teams, especially in very young patients. She noted that the program has performed surgery on an infant just three months old and weighing less than four kilograms.

The hospital stated that reducing post-surgery stays helps improve the efficiency of the cardiac care pathway by shortening hospitalization, allowing greater flexibility in scheduling eligible cases, enhancing the flow of care, and expanding access to specialized healthcare for more patients.