Serbian Doctors Break New Ground!
Imagine this: a heart surgery performed in only TWO centers worldwide has now been done in Serbia! Yes, you read that right. At the Cardiac Surgery Clinic of the University Clinical Center of Serbia, under the leadership of Dr. Danko Grujić, the first minimally invasive bypass surgery from the right side of the chest was performed. This is not your ordinary bypass; this is the right MIDCAB – a procedure so rare and demanding that Belgrade is now the THIRD city in the world performing it!
How Did Dušan Mrkić Get a New Lease on Life?
Dušan, a 65-year-old man from Valjevo, was on the edge of life. Ten years ago, he had a heart attack and had two stents implanted, but last autumn, problems returned – a blocked right coronary artery, shortness of breath, inability to climb stairs. Traditional open-heart surgery was not an option due to high risk. The solution? Right MIDCAB, surgery performed on a beating heart with a tiny 5 cm incision under the right breast. Four hours of intense work by the doctors, and Dušan was already home three days after surgery, ready to return to daily activities within 10 to 14 days.
Why Is This Such a Big Deal?
Minimally invasive bypass surgeries are not new in Serbia, but until now, they were only performed from the left side of the chest. Right MIDCAB is a whole different story – only two centers in the world perform it: in Toronto and Frankfurt. Dr. Grujić and his team took a step further, mastered this technique, and brought it to Serbia. This means shorter hospital stays (4-5 days instead of twice as long), less pain, faster recovery, and a chance at life for those for whom traditional surgery is not an option.
Technology and a Team That Push Boundaries
The clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art ultrasound that allows intraoperative checking of all bypass grafts. This means doctors can immediately see if the grafts are working and fix any issues on the spot. Previously, such problems could only be detected after surgery.
Anesthesiologist Dr. Tatjana Kokotović applied a rare opioid-free anesthesia, reducing complications and speeding up patient recovery. Overall, Dr. Grujić’s team has performed a miracle previously available only in the most advanced centers worldwide.
What Does This Mean for Serbia?
This proves Serbia has top experts who can compete with the best in the world. But as Dr. Grujić says, the state must take care of these people if it wants them to stay and continue pushing the boundaries of medicine. Dušan is now living proof that in Serbia, you can get a chance at life even when all seems lost.
Conclusion: Serbia on the World Medical Map!
While the world talks about major medical centers, Belgrade is now in elite company. Right MIDCAB is just the beginning – if the state and society recognize the value of these experts, we can expect many more such successes. Until then, Dušan and his team have shown us that impossible is just a word for those who don’t know Serbian medicine.
If you thought Serbian doctors were just ordinary heroes, think again! This surgery proves they are true warriors, fighting for every life with style and innovations the world can only envy.
What about you? Did you know about this procedure? Or did you think Serbian medicine only revolves around old methods? Drop a comment, share your thoughts, or just say – bravo, doctors, keep it up! Stories like this deserve to be heard and inspire us all.
