Rashid Hospital, the trauma hub of Dubai, is hoping to save more lives with the launch of a highly advanced and hybrid operation theatre (OT), a first for the Middle East. The hybrid OT, which was officially inaugurated on Wednesday by Qadi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority, combines a high-tech imaging and angiography suite with an operation theatre. Better outcome \"This in effect means that we can do angiographies, 3D imaging and CT procedures in the same place as the surgery to ensure greater precision, a better outcome and faster recovery,\" said Dr Ayman Al Sibaie, Consultant Intraventional Radiologist at the hospital. Article continues below Compared to traditional devices, this high-end imaging system provides quick and detailed information with less exposure to X-rays. The hybrid OT is considered a one-stop point of care for patients who can have imaging and treatment in one place, instead of making multiple trips as in the past. \"Earlier, patients would have to be transferred to different departments,\" said Dr Al Sibaie. The hybrid OT is especially useful in the treatment of emergency cases like aneurysms, besides other general surgeries, vascular and nephrology and diabetic foot patients. \"In fact, 40 per cent of the 104 cases we have dealt with over the past two months concerned aneurysms. We also conducted four complicated heart valve replacements in the last one week,\" said Dr Al Sibaie. The four patients, aged between 60 and 80, are among the only 50,000 patients worldwide who have benefited from the new technology so far. Called the coronary angiogram, it is capable of giving live 3D images even as the surgery is being performed. The machine costs Dh7 million and was donated by Dubai businessman Abdul Hamid A. Seddiqi, CEO of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. \"This is a good model that reflects the private sector\'s social responsibility and we are thankful,\" said Al Murooshid, who also visited some patients in Ward 21. * 7 million dirhams is the cost of the state-of-the-art machine called coronary angiogram Advantage The Hybrid OT has large-scale imaging equipment, used for angiographies, CT scans and MRIs, and makes imaging possible even during surgical interventions. In an emergency, surgical interventions can be carried out during vascular catheterisation procedures to manage complications. This lowers the risk for patients.