An integral piece of the interventional radiology operating suite has been the installation of a Carbon Floating Surgical Table, funded by be giving, an imaging table that adjusts to allow patient movement in any direction, while live imaging is carried out, all with the touch of a button.

“Thanks to equipment that’s been funded by the Foundation, we have been able to make significant inroads into waiting lists, using techniques that are less invasive that traditional surgery and that have less complications and shorter hospital stays for kids.” – Dr Craig Gibson – Consultant, Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology is a specialised branch of radiology that uses image guidance to perform minimally invasive surgical procedures. Clinicians carry out procedures that involve imaging, such as x-ray, ultrasound and CT and MRI scans, from the common insertion of infuser ports for kids receiving chemotherapy to complex procedures involving the heart or brain.

This relatively new field is expanding rapidly with the help of cutting edge technology, such as the hybrid operating theatre in use at Perth Children’s Hospital. This theatre is now in almost full time use for interventional radiology cases. An integral piece of this operating suite has been the installation of a Carbon Floating Surgical Table.

“It’s particularly important when we’re doing procedures that require putting wires or catheters in essential parts of the body, in the arteries or veins that lead into the heart or the brain. We can move the child on the table so that the live image on the screens always shows where the tip of the wire is. If that isn’t the case, then you are essentially going in blind, with potentially catastrophic effects.”

“By having this equipment in our hospital, we are able to better attract world class clinicians. The kids of WA now have unlimited access to all of the benefits that Interventional Radiology provides. In the past, certain procedures could only take place in the Eastern States, but now it is very rare for us to say that we can’t do it here. The impact of having a fully functional imaging theatre is huge.”

“Interventional radiology is an extremely exciting field to be in. It is more established in places like North America and Europe, but we are quickly catching up, thanks to the community’s generous support.” 

Help support even more innovative equipment that is changing lives and giving WA children unlimited access to the benefits of life-changing surgery here at home. Make a donation today.