KFSH cuts children’s heart surgery stays by 44% with minimally invasive program

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh says its pediatric congenital heart surgery program has cut average hospital stays from nine days to five days for eligible children. The result underscores how minimally invasive techniques are changing recovery times, capacity and access to specialized care.

Why it matters: - KFSH says shorter recoveries can reduce pain, speed breathing and movement after surgery, and free up hospital capacity for more children who need specialized cardiac care. - The hospital’s data also points to a broader shift toward less invasive pediatric heart procedures in the region.

What happened: - King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh said it reduced the hospital stay for children undergoing surgery for congenital heart defects by 44% among patients eligible for minimally invasive procedures. - Average length of stay fell from nine days with conventional surgery to five days with the minimally invasive approach. - The result came from KFSH’s minimally invasive pediatric congenital heart surgery program, launched in mid-2023. - The program uses a small incision between the ribs instead of dividing the breastbone. - KFSH said it is the only center in the region performing minimally invasive procedures for left-sided congenital heart defects.

The details: - Dr. Hani Al-Sarjani, Executive Director of the Heart Centre of Excellence at KFSH, said 54 pediatric congenital heart cases show the program’s maturity and ability to handle highly delicate and complex conditions. - Dr. Al-Sarjani said the approach reduces surgical impact on the chest wall and helps ease post-operative pain. - Dr. Al-Sarjani also said the technique supports earlier breathing and movement and creates a less burdensome treatment experience for children and families. - Dr. Maryam Alomair, who leads the program, said the surgery requires exceptional precision because of the small size of pediatric anatomy and the sensitivity of operating on the heart at an early age. - Dr. Alomair said the approach depends on close coordination among cardiac surgery, anesthesia and intensive care teams, especially in very small patients. - One treated patient was a three-month-old infant weighing four kilograms. - KFSH said shorter hospital stays improve efficiency in the Heart Centre by reducing post-operative admission needs, increasing flexibility in scheduling eligible cases and allowing more patients to access specialized care.

Between the lines: - KFSH is using the program as a proof point for its surgical capability and regional standing in advanced pediatric cardiac care. - The combination of clinical outcomes and operational efficiency suggests the hospital is trying to scale a more complex procedure while easing pressure on beds and staff.

What's next: - KFSH is likely to expand use of the minimally invasive program among eligible children as the team gains more experience with complex cases. - The hospital’s broader reputation may also help attract more referrals for specialized pediatric heart surgery. - KFSH said it was ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 12th globally among the world’s top 250 academic medical centers for 2026. - KFSH was also named the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East for 2026 by Brand Finance. - Newsweek also listed KFSH among the World’s Best Hospitals, World’s Best Smart Hospitals and World’s Best Specialized Hospitals for 2026.

The bottom line: - KFSH says minimally invasive pediatric heart surgery is delivering faster recoveries and more efficient use of specialty care capacity, while reinforcing the hospital’s leadership in the region.