Procedure makes history: first successful robotic lung transplant!

New York/USA - Historic procedure in New York: A woman undergoes the world's first robot-assisted double lung transplant!

Cheryl Mehrkar (57) was a real adventurer: she went scuba diving, rode a motorcycle, tried skydiving and even had a black belt in karate.

As the New York Post has now reported, she can add another extraordinary point to her eventful CV - she is the first person in the world to receive a full robotic double lung transplant.

"I was in awe - it's just incredible," the 57-year-old said last Wednesday, shortly after she was discharged from hospital.

Mehrkar suffered from a serious lung condition, which was cured last month thanks to the pioneering procedure.

"The benefits of this method are significantly smaller incisions, faster recovery for the patient and less post-operative pain," explained lead surgeon Dr. Stephanie H. Chang.

Dr. Chang made tiny incisions between Mehrkar's ribs before using the robotic system to remove the diseased lung, prepare the heart and airway for transplantation and finally insert the donor lung with precision.

When Mehrkar woke up after the approximately seven-hour procedure, she was overwhelmed by the fact that she could "breathe easily" almost immediately. "And it got better and better," she continued.

She has set up a GoFundMe campaign to pay off the high medical bills. She hopes to soon be able to resume some of the activities she loves, including her work as a volunteer paramedic with the fire department.

In addition, she plans to write a letter to the family of the man who donated his lungs to her.

"I can only imagine how great their grief was while I was getting better. (...) I promise to do everything I can to take good care of those lungs."