ŠOBOT: GIANT HEART TUMOR REMOVED THROUGH MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURE

BANJA LUKA, JULY 15 /SRNA/ - A team of cardiac surgeons from the University Clinical Centre /UCC/ of Republika Srpska successfully performed a minimally invasive surgery during which a heart tumor measuring six by six centimeters was removed, representing a rare and exceptionally demanding surgical undertaking, it was announced today at a press conference in this healthcare institution.

Acting General Director of the UCC of Republika Srpska, Nikola Šobot, told reporters that this is a major achievement and an indicator of everything that has been accomplished over the past four years.

"I am proud of each of them, the entire cardiac surgery team, and everything they have achieved over the last four years. We will always gladly boast about stories like this and strive to further develop and improve our healthcare services. The next step when it comes to cardiac surgery is a hybrid operating room, in which the Government of Republika Srpska will support us," Šobot announced.

He added that such results confirm that knowledge, experience, teamwork, and modern technology are the key to success in treating the most demanding cardiac surgery patients.

Cardiac surgeon Novica Kalinić said that cases like this happen once in twenty years in our region.

He stated that it was a giant heart tumor that had created thrombotic masses and blocked the heart's function, and that the patient experienced symptoms, could not function normally, and suffered from significant fatigue, adding that the intervention was performed within seven days of admission to the hospital.

"We opted for a minimally invasive procedure, which allowed the wound itself to be smaller than the tumor, significantly accelerating the recovery," said Kalinić.

He stated that the intervention was performed last Wednesday in two hours, and that the patient is recovering quickly and successfully.

The operating team that successfully performed the procedure seven days ago consisted of, besides cardiac surgeon Novica Kalinić, cardiac surgeon from the National Heart Institute of Hungary Jeno Solnoki, medical doctor Luka Tejić, cardiac anesthesiologist Siniša Mirković, scrub nurse Jelena Štrbac, and anesthetist Andrea Pejaković.

Dušan Lazić /71/ from Jezero, who is successfully recovering after the exceptionally rare and complex heart surgery, points out that he was afraid he wouldn't survive, but thanks to the team that operated on him, he says, he continues onward.

"At this age, they managed to save me, and I take my hat off to them for that," said Lazić, who mentioned that everyone is good to him, both doctors and nurses, and that everyone is helping him recover.