Medical Breakthroughs

On January 28, results from two groundbreaking clinical trials about fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) were published in Nature Medicine by London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI), Lawson, and Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM). The first study shows that the toxic side effects of drugs to treat kidney cancer could be eliminated with FMT. The second study suggests FMT is effective in improving the response to immunotherapy in patients with lung cancer and melanoma. Read the full story or media coverage from CTV National, Global National, Toronto Star and the New York Post.      

LHSC conducted its first unrelated donor stem cell transplant in the summer of 2025. Jaci Van Altena was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and after trying other treatments, Van Altena was referred to the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program (BMTP) in the Verspeeten, which was her best chance for remission. LHSC has performed related donor stem cell transplants for many years, but unrelated donor transplants require significantly more coordination as genetic matches can come from anywhere in the world. See the full story and CTV news coverage.

A clinical trial led by London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) and Western University has found that a knee surgery called high tibial osteotomy (HTO) can slow the progression of osteoarthritis. The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, showed that HTO reduced knee joint damage and improved pain and function among patients with knee osteoarthritis and bowed legs. No treatments have been shown to alter the progression of the disease and lead to long-term benefits for the patient until this surgery. 

Julide Cakiroglu was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and underwent multiple treatments, including a stem cell transplant. The total body radiation needed for transplant risked her fertility. When usual fertility preservation options were impossible, Julide was referred to Dr. Krista Cameron, a gynecologist and fertility specialist at Omega Fertility Center, who connected with fellow experts, including Dr. Jennia Michaeli and the Mount Sinai Fertility team. Together, they identified a solution: a laparoscopic oophorectomy where Julide’s ovary would be preserved to reimplant later. Julide’s was the first laparoscopic oophorectomy performed on an adult for this purpose in the London region.  

LHSC is the first in Canada to perform a fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) using the Terumo Treo Fenestrated aortic stent graft platform. Aortic aneurysms occur when a blood vessel gets weak and bulges. That bulge can burst, causing life-threatening internal bleeding. To prevent a rupture, vascular surgeons perform a FEVAR, using stents to reinforce the walls of the aneurysm, without restricting blood flow to major organs. The Terumo Treo Fenestrated aortic stent graft platform is a customized endovascular graft designed to fit that specific patients’ body and involves less risk and a much shorter recovery time. 

Heralded as a ‘hattrick of hearing,’ Children’s Hospital at LHSC now offers three new hearing surgeries. A multidisciplinary team became the first in Canada to perform a paediatric auditory brainstem implant (ABI) and the first in North America to robotically insert a paediatric cochlear implant. They also added the Oticon implant, an established bone conduction hearing device, to their surgical portfolio. LHSC was the first HEARRING Centre of Excellence in Canada and continues leading the way with these three innovative treatments: the ABI, robotic cochlear and Oticon implants. LHSC is making hearing more accessible for thousands of patients. 

The province’s first spinal endoscopic surgery was completed at LHSC by neurosurgeon, Dr. Neil Duggal on February 19, 2025. This represents an important advancement in care. Using a slender, tube-like camera called an endoscope to visualize the spine through small incisions, the surgical procedure offers the most minimally invasive approach to treating degenerative disc diseases. Spinal endoscopy dramatically reduces tissue damage and post-operative pain, and has the potential to prevent hospital admissions, reduce wait times, and result in quicker recovery times and return to work. 

Taking place in August 2024, LHSC Cardiac Surgeon, Dr. Michael Chu, and team performed both a protected Ross operation, where the patient’s own pulmonary valve is transplanted to replace their diseased aortic valve, and an advanced surgical technique called a hybrid arch frozen elephant trunk procedure, which enables a very extensive aortic replacement in a much less invasive way. By combining the procedures, the team was able to rebuild most of the patient’s aorta within their chest during a single procedure, while also using two new specialized devices. This world first cements LHSC’s position as a leader in integrating a patient-centered approach with innovation in the field of cardiac care. Read more in the Global News coverage. 

LHSC was the first and only hospital in Canada to implant a new extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) during clinical trials. The global study has led to Health Canada approval of the device following publications in New England Journal of Medicine and Circulation, which have shown the long-term safety, efficacy and performance of the device. This new device is implanted outside the vascular system and heart, providing life-saving arrhythmia treatment. The smaller battery and placement in the body offers better comfort and reduces the frequency of subsequent battery replacement procedures.   

A team at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) is the first in Canada to treat a patient with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) – a rare form of cancer – using a radioisotope (an atom that releases radiation) called actinium-225 DOTATATE. The treatment is a type of therapy called theranostics, which combines advanced diagnostic imaging technologies and radioisotopes to precisely locate tumours and then eradicate them by releasing radioactive energy. The actinium-225 DOTATATE therapy, is being offered as part of an international clinical trial and LHSC is one of only three centres in Canada where patients are participating in the trial.  

Dostie came to LHSC in 2022 with significant pain in her face and no options left for treatment. Dr. Jonathan Lau, Neurosurgeon at LHSC, discussed a different surgical option that hadn’t been possible with older technology. This procedure uses a trigeminal ganglion stimulator placed on the source of Dostie's pain, providing a unique treatment that either distracts the brain from the pain or gets rid of it. Patients go through a trial period where the stimulator can be adjusted to ensure it covers the pain area. A second procedure is done to implant the device permanently. 

Researchers at LHSC and Lawson Health Research Institute are using advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to diagnose rare diseases and prenatal exposure-related birth abnormalities in two studies published on August 8, 2024 in American Journal of Human Genetics and Genetics in Medicine. The research uses technology called EpiSign™, which was developed by Dr. Bekim Sadikovic, Lawson Scientist at LHSC. EpiSign leverages AI to measure a patient’s epigenome – a unique chemical fingerprint everyone has, which is responsible for turning genes on or off. EpiSign helps diagnose more than 100 genetic diseases. 

A team at Lawson Health Research Institute is the first in Canada to perform a transplant using a technique called abdominal normothermic regional perfusion (A-NRP). The technique protects abdominal organs after circulatory death in a donor by using a special pump to selectively restore blood flow to the organs. Dr. Skaro and his team at LHSC were the first in Canada to use A-NRP, optimizing organs from two donors and resulting in the successful transplantation of two kidneys and two livers. A-NRP can increase the likelihood of a successful transplantation, ensuring donor wishes are fulfilled and enhancing patient outcomes. 

Dave Meyn, a clinical neuroscience patient at LHSC became the first patient in Canada to receive a robotic assisted surgery on his spine called a direct lateral spine surgery using the MazorX Spinal Robot. Because Meyn needed surgery in two spots on his spine, the surgical team was able to use this new robotic technology to perform a minimally invasive surgery from the side, called a direct lateral spinal surgery. This side positioning is made easier thanks to the robot and allowed the team to perform two minimally invasive surgeries at once without repositioning the patient.  

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph’s Heath Care London (St. Joseph’s) are celebrating the installation of a Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) system within the clinical microbiology laboratory. The innovative and automated technology will assist highly skilled laboratory professionals, build lab capacity and enhance advanced detection of infectious diseases, generating high-quality results even faster. The TLA system is the first of its kind to be installed in the world, making London an international flagship site for innovation in clinical microbiology. 

For the first time in Canada, a robot-assisted deep brain stimulation surgery to treat seizures caused by epilepsy was successfully completed at University Hospital, LHSC. Deep brain stimulation surgery involves placing electrodes in the brain that are connected to a pacemaker which provides stimulation to alter brain activity enough to prevent or limit seizures. Using the Renishaw neuromate® robot to assist in the surgery enables accurate and safe placement of electrodes while accessing difficult to reach areas of the brain. 

When Jeff Pitman experienced an aortic dissection and aneurysm compromising blood flow to his legs and kidneys, a team of vascular surgeons at LHSC were the first in North America to use the Artivion E-nside^TM aortic stent-graft to save his life. Starting in October 2022, Pitman underwent three advanced, minimally-invasive procedures to install the E-nside^TM aortic stent-graft. The device allowed Drs. Landau and Dubois to perform the surgery through minimal entry points, using approximately four-centimeter incisions in the arm and groin. Minimally invasive procedures are often safer, resulting in reduced pain, fewer complications, and a quicker recovery. 

The vascular surgery team at LHSC is the first in the region to introduce a non-invasive advanced aneurysm repair method for life-threatening aortic aneurysms, which not only decreases a patient’s hospital stay from four weeks to three days but decreases overall recovery time from a year to one month. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) uses a custom-made endovascular stent-graft, which is placed using x-ray guidance through a tiny incision in the groin no larger than a drinking straw. The procedure prevents the abdominal aortic aneurysm from bursting, significantly decreasing the risk of major complications and death. 

On June 24, 2022, Dr. Michael Mayich and his team used a new device called a balloon distal access catheter (BDAC) to successfully remove a blood clot from an artery in the brain of Wilene Leyen. The procedure was performed through a tiny incision and took less than 10 minutes, restoring Ms. Leyen’s movement and speech almost immediately. Mechanical thrombectomy is a new minimally invasive treatment for strokes performed by a specialized team who are on-call 24-7. LHSC was the first hospital in the world to use the BDAC to treat a patient experiencing a stroke.   

Patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) manage symptoms for their entire lifetime, but a new medication – Trikafta – is offering new hope for CF patients at Victoria Hospital’s (VH) Cystic Fibrosis Clinic. Trikafta is currently available to those with a specific genetic profile, over the age of 12. That genetic profile is shared by about 80 per cent of the CF patient population. With the Trikafta, patients have expressed that they’re able to breathe well, and that they’ve never felt so good. This medication is providing an enhanced quality of life without a lung transplant.   

A London youth was the first paediatric patient in Ontario to receive a robot-assisted stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) procedure that was performed by the Paediatric Epilepsy Program at Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). LHSC was previously the first in Ontario to robotically perform the SEEG procedure on adult patients, successfully transferring the knowledge and skill set to the specialized team of paediatric neurosurgeons.

A multi-gene panel technology developed by LHSC became available through the global life sciences company LabCorp® to perform genetic testing for Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, epilepsy, and mitochondrial disorders. Availability of these genetic tests outside of Ontario through this licensing agreement will generate revenue for LHSC that can be used to fund further advances in patient care, and will also lead to benefits for patients and care providers as a result of the rich database of genetic biomarkers that will be interpreted and housed by LHSC’s lab. Analysis of that database will allow researchers and clinicians to better understand how different genetic mutations influence disease, with the potential to help inform decisions on the best course of treatment for each patient.

A multi-gene panel technology developed by LHSC became available through the global life sciences company LabCorp® to perform genetic testing for Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, epilepsy, and mitochondrial disorders. Availability of these genetic tests outside of Ontario through this licensing agreement will generate revenue for LHSC that can be used to fund further advances in patient care, and will also lead to benefits for patients and care providers as a result of the rich database of genetic biomarkers that will be interpreted and housed by LHSC’s lab. Analysis of that database will allow researchers and clinicians to better understand how different genetic mutations influence disease, with the potential to help inform decisions on the best course of treatment for each patient.

Surgeons at LHSC pioneered the use of a new trans-catheter aortic valve in two cardiac surgical firsts. In a Canadian first, a multidisciplinary heart team at University Hospital implanted a device called the Medtronic Pro Valve through a patient’s femoral artery. One week later, a second patient in need of a similar valve replacement underwent a world-first procedure when the Medtronic Evolut Pro Valve was implanted directly through the main aorta. Both procedures avoid the need for open-heart surgery and the extensive recovery that valve replacement surgery requires.

LHSC performed the world’s first robotic assisted aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic valve stenosis, using the da Vinci® surgical system. The procedure was performed by a multidisciplinary team, led by Dr. Bob Kiaii using a tissue valve called the Perceval S Valve from Liva Nova. This new generation valve is a suture-less valve, which facilitates performance of less invasive aortic valve replacement. This marks the first time the da Vinci® robot has been used to perform this delicate procedure on a patient diagnosed with aortic stenosis - a narrowing of the aortic artery due to calcification.

LHSC’s Epilepsy Program became the first in Ontario to perform a robotic-assisted stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) procedure, in which electrodes are placed into the brain to map epileptic seizure activity. Once the seizure onset is localized, neurosurgeons can determine whether a good seizure outcome may be possible through brain surgery.

The colorectal surgery team at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) performed the first robotic ventral rectopexy in Canada to treat a condition called obstructive defecation syndrome.

The heart team at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is the first in North America to implant Medtronic’s Engager Valve in a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure.

London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) cardiac surgery program is the first in Canada to use a new suture fastening system during open heart surgery. Using the COR-KNOT System, the surgeon places the device over the suture, squeezes the device handle to crimp a titanium fastener, which securely holds the suture together, and gently tugs the suture to trim away excess suture tails.

On May 12th, 2014 LHSC's cardiac team successfully performed North America’s first ACURATE TA™ transcatheter aortic valve implantation surgery (TAVI).

On September 13th 2013, Dr. Christopher Schlachta became the first to perform a robotic single-site gallbladder removal - or cholecystectomy in Canada. With this procedure, the gallbladder is removed through a single small incision, hidden in the belly button, and patients experience virtually scarless results.

On April 25, Kelly Dickson, from Cambridge, Ontario became the first patient in North America to receive the BONEBRIDGE™ – a bone conduction hearing implant.  The surgery was successfully performed at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) by Dr. Sumit Agrawal and his surgical team. BONEBRIDGE is new technology developed by MED-El Medical Electronics that makes it possible for people with hearing impairments, including conductive and mixed hearing losses or single-sided deafness, to hear a full range of sounds.

The treatment - transurethral magnetic resonance (MR) guided ultrasound ablation for prostate cancer - utilizes a new ablation device that uses thermal ultrasound therapy with real-time MR image guidance to eliminate cancer cells in the prostate gland. This treatment option helps reduce complications post-op and can also benefit patients who have a small amount of cancer that is less likely to spread.

The self-contained Geko™ device is designed to increase blood flow by activating the muscle pumps in the lower leg that return blood to the heart, emulating the blood flow rate normally achieved by walking (up to 70 per cent), without the patient having to move or exert energy. The procedure was performed by LHSC cardiac surgeon, Dr. Bob Kiaii.

Dr. Hernandez-Alejandro performed a procedure formally called an associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for stage hepatectomy, or ALPPS procedure. The surgical first is that both stages of the hepatectomy, or removal of the liver, was completed in the span of one week to ensure that cancer does not spread to other parts of the liver.

On August 22nd, 2012, Dr. Lorne Gula and Dr. Jaimie Manlucu became the first in Canada to use a pressure sensing catheter to perform a pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). During a pulmonary vein ablation the physician eliminates abnormal heart tissue that causes the electrical system of the heart to “short-circuit” causing irregular heart rhythm. The goal of the procedure is to ensure that the abnormal heart tissue is permanently eliminated.

London Health Sciences Centre's (LHSC) cardiac surgery team successfully performed an emergency surgery to repair a hole in a patient’s heart caused by a pacemaker complication using the DaVinci robot. Traditionally, this surgery is done via traditional open chest surgery.

This procedure allows a small device to wirelessly transmit information to a system for processing. The information that is sent wirelessly compares the heart’s blood pressure to the body’s blood pressure. If there is a big difference, it signals to the doctor that there is not enough pressure in the heart, which may suggest that there is a significant blockage or narrowing of the artery and could require further medical treatment.

On December 3, 2010 Dr. Anthony Nichols and Dr. Kevin Fung, head and neck surgeons, performed the first robotically assisted and minimally invasive laryngectomy (or the removal of a small portion of the voicebox). This surgery was required to remove a cancerous lesion from the patient’s larynx.

On November 3, 2010, LHSC’s cardiac surgery team led by Drs. Bob Kiaii and Linrui Guo successfully performed an aortic valve bypass using a specialized Aortic Valve Bypass (AVB) device.The Correx AVB device is an implantable surgical device that promises to revolutionize aortic valve bypass surgery by reducing its complexity through a specialized delivery mechanism that renders the surgery almost bloodless, eliminating the need to stop the heart and put the patient on a heart-lung bypass machine.

The Period of PURPLE Crying® program provides important information to parents and caregivers regarding infant crying patterns and comforting strategies, and education on Shaken Baby Syndrome.

The PD unit also, in partnership with Baxter, provides Telehomecare support that monitors your condition and enables early intervention for problems, a first in North America. LHSC is proud to continue at home care to this day.

by removing a small wedge from the patient’s lung and then applying a surgical mesh interwoven with brachytherapy seeds to where the lung was resected. This became another robotically assisted breakthrough at LHSC. 

London Health Sciences Centre became the first hospital in North America to have a robotic-arm neuro-angiogram machine in an operating room. This device is known as The Zeego, it is manufactured by Siemens and is a floor-mounted neuro-angiogram machine designed to take images during surgery.

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) became the first in North America to implant an insertable cardiac monitor. This cardiac monitor offers long-term and continuous monitoring for atrial fibrillation, the most common cardiac arrhythmia.

This procedure was performed at the hospital on July 30th, 2008, By using the da Vinci® robot, Dr. Schlachta, assisted by Dr. Andreana Bütter, pediatric surgeon, and Dr. Shiva Jayaraman, robotic surgery fellow, were able to reduce the patient’s hospital stay to three days with minimal use of pain medication.

Censitrac software allows medical instruments to be tracked at the individual level. 

The CSTAR surgical team successfully performed Canada’s first totally endoscopic closed-chest robotic coronary artery bypass surgery on a patient’s beating heart at LHSC.

On April 3, 2007, Dr. Schlachta, assisted by Dr. Ward Davies, LHSC's Chief of General Surgery, performed a robotic-assisted common bile duct exploration using CSTAR's da Vinci robot. It was a Canadian first. The use of robotics in Canada has tended to be in cardiac surgery and urologic surgery, making this particular innovation all the more significant for taking place in general surgery.

A team of cardiologists at LHSC's University Hospital became one of the two independent Canadian medical teams to perform the impedance-mapping technology during a pulmonary vein ablation procedure (PVA). 

LHSC became the world's first to perform a robotic procedure that aims to reduce the chance of clot formation and stroke for high risk patients suffering from Atrial Fibrillation (AF). The procedure called a robotic assisted left atrial appendage ligation was performed at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) by an interdisciplinary team of surgeon/scientists from CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics) and Lawson Health Research Institute (Lawson)

Canada's first minimally invasive robotically assisted double bypass surgery, a multi vessel small thorocotomy (MVST), is performed at LHSC. An interdisciplinary team performs the world's first robotic assisted left atrial appendage ligation at LHSC. Surgeons are just a small part of the large team that went into this procedure.

Canada's first minimally invasive robotically assisted double bypass surgery, a multi vessel small thorocotomy (MVST), is performed at LHSC. 

This Procedure was performed on May 31st, 2004, and was made possible using Computer Motion’s AESOP® robotic arm.

in October 2004, an interdisciplinary medical team led by Dr. Bob Kiaii, leader of CSTAR’s Robotic Coronary Artery Bypass research project and cardiac surgeon at LHSC, and Dr. Bill Kostuk, cardiologist at LHSC, were the first in North America to complete two different procedures to clear blocked arteries during the same episode of care.

Revolutionary digital technology to produce detailed fluoroscopic images is used for diagnostic and interventional procedures at LHSC – a Canadian first.