Franciscus Gasthuis commissions the first hybrid operating theater

The Franciscus Gasthuis in Rotterdam has commissioned its first hybrid operating theater. Construction began in September 2020 and staff have been able to warm up in recent weeks. The training courses are now over and the first operations have been carried out. To the great satisfaction of the doctors, but also of the other members of the operating room staff.

“In the hybrid operating theater, we can combine two techniques. As a vascular surgeon, I can operate on a patient with a dotter and a stent in place; endovascular technique. But suppose it doesn’t go well or I can’t perform it at some point. location, then I can operate on the calcification with a small incision by means of an open operation, ”says vascular surgeon Gijs Welten.

“And the combination of these two surgical techniques – so purely with contrast fluid in an artery, but also with a knife and tweezers – means that I can combine the two techniques in one hybrid framework.”

Readily available

In addition to the latest tech gadgets, there is also a lot more physical space in the operating room. For example, the medical pantry is now immediately available without staff having to leave the sterile room. The room also has its own fixed x-ray equipment. Staff no longer need to get everything from everywhere in the morning.

“Yes, it’s really nice. Our previous operating room where I often stood was much smaller. It’s precisely the space that gives peace of mind, but you also need space for everyone. those devices that are mounted on the floor, the screens, which are suspended from them, the ceiling and the anesthesia equipment that we have to give a place, ”adds Gijs Welten.

Invest and innovate

With the arrival of the hybrid room, the eleventh operating room of the Francis, it’s not over yet. The hospital continues to invest and innovate in the future.

“It’s always good to look to the future. With the hospital we want to constantly strive for innovation and now with the hybrid room we feel like we’re playing in the Champions League. We want to stay there too.”

According to Welten, the hospital is already working on the future. “The future may be to work in these types of state-of-the-art operating rooms, where other specialists can use them. Therefore, we also need several. And this innovation and the constant search for perfection have a lot to offer. time, but we are moving in that direction. “