Perfusion approaches in minimally invasive and transplant surgery discussed

The eleventh of the monthly scientific meetings, organized in cooperation with the Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Perfusion and the Perfusion Club operating under the Department of Health, Culture and Sports (HCS), was held. The meeting discussed innovative perfusion strategies and multidisciplinary approaches in minimally invasive cardiac surgery, lung transplantation, and aortic surgery on the beating heart.

The meeting was held at the Ibn Sina auditorium on the Üsküdar University NP Health Campus. 

The program was chaired by Vice Rector Prof. Hikmet Koçak, Prof. Barış Çaynak, and Assoc. Prof. Mustafa Vayvada. 

Speakers, whose panelists were Perfusionist İsmail Yerli, Perfusionist Onur Çevirgen, and Perfusionist Yeliz Koçoğlu, shared their case experiences with the participants at the meeting.

Prof. Hikmet Koçak: “Investments in health are never a waste”

Referring to the beginning of the meeting's journey, Vice Rector Prof. Hikmet Koçak drew attention to the importance of the organization's continuity. Evaluating the current state of cardiac surgery, Koçak said; “Every place with an intensive care unit and an emergency room needs a perfusionist, perfusion, and a heart-lung machine. Investments in health are never a waste. Because an early intervention that will save a person's life, the devices required for that intervention, and the presence of knowledgeable and equipped individuals are priceless.”

Şevval Sena Aydın: “We blend theoretical knowledge with experience”

Perfusion Club President Şevval Sena Aydın stated in her opening speech that their main goal in implementing the meeting series was to build an unbreakable bridge of knowledge between professionals who have gained practical experience and student friends who are at the beginning of their careers. 
Aydın said; “Every experience shared here not only increases our theoretical knowledge but also reinforces our excitement for that first moment when we will touch human lives and our passion for our profession. Here, we blend theoretical knowledge with experience,” emphasizing that knowledge multiplies as it is shared.

Perf. Fatih Ordu: “Small incision requires great responsibility”

Perfusionist Fatih Ordu gave the first presentation of the meeting titled “Perfusion Techniques in MIDCAB Surgery.”

Underlining that the perfusionist must demonstrate flawless management in minimally invasive surgery, Ordu said; “Since the surgeon's field of view is limited, the perfusionist must flawlessly manage drainage and flow to provide an immobile and bloodless field,” stating that an experienced team and harmony are essential.

Prof. Barış Çaynak: “Minimally invasive surgery is impossible without a very good perfusionist”

Immediately after Fatih Ordu's presentation, Cardiovascular Surgeon Prof. Barış Çaynak, who took the floor to evaluate the process from a surgeon's perspective, emphasized the vital importance of the profession by stating that perfusionists are the closest colleagues of cardiac surgeons. 

Çaynak, stating that they entrust patients' hearts and circulation to perfusionists, said; “Minimally invasive surgery is not possible without a very good perfusionist.” Emphasizing that anatomical knowledge is the most critical point in cannulation processes, Çaynak stated that mutual trust and coordination between the surgeon and the perfusionist are essential for a successful operation.

Perf. İsmail Yerli: “The perfusionist must be involved in the process from start to finish”

Ismail Yerli, Perfusionist at Kartal Koşuyolu High Specialization Training and Research Hospital, delivered his presentation titled “Cornerstones of Perfusion in Lung Transplantation.” Yerli stated that currently only two centers in Türkiye actively perform lung transplants and touched upon the difficulties of the organ waiting process. 

Detailing the strategies for using ECMO in transplant processes, Yerli said; “The perfusionist's role is to be involved in all parameters at every stage, to definitely make preliminary preparations, and to be ready at the operating room door at all times.”

Perf. Abdülkadir Arslan: “The real success is sending blood to the right place with the right pressure”

Abdülkadir Arslan, Perfusionist at Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine University Hospital, delivered the final presentation of the meeting titled “Thoracoabdominal Aortic Surgery on the Beating Heart.” Arslan stated that in these challenging cases, the heart is not stopped, and it essentially acts as a pump, and that instead of full cardiopulmonary bypass, lower body perfusion is provided from the femoral artery. Arslan summarized the critical importance of perfusion balance with his words; “The real success in this surgery is not sending blood from the pump, but sending blood to the right place with the right pressure.”

The meeting continued with a Q&A session.

The eleventh monthly scientific meeting concluded with a group photo.