Three robot-assisted kidney transplants were successfully carried out at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, marking the first time such an attempt has been made in the UAE.
The procedures were conducted on three UAE national patients diagnosed with end-stage renal illness.
The operations were a collaborative effort of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Dr Bashir Sankari, Institute Chair of the Surgical Subspecialties Institute, and Dr Waleed Hassen, Department Chair of Urology, as well as the experts at Cleveland Clinic located in the US, Dr Georges-Pascal Haber, Professor and Enterprise Chair of Urology and Dr Mohamed Eltemamy, Lead Robotic and Kidney Transplant Surgeon.
Cleveland Clinic’s robotic surgical system allows for precise and minimally-invasive surgeries
Dr Haber, based at the Glickman Urological Institute at Cleveland Clinic, commented: “The collaborative achievement of performing three complex kidney transplants using robotic surgeries in the UAE highlights the advancement we have made in living-related transplantation.
“Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of delivering complex, technologically enhanced, world-class care to patients in the UAE and in the region and we are proud to be their partners in introducing such cutting-edge innovation to enhance patient outcomes and save more lives.”
The surgeon controls a console that provides a 3D high-definition view of the surgical site. Specialised instruments, attached to robotic arms, mimic the movements of the surgeon with a greater range of motion and finer control. The surgeon’s commands are translated in real-time to carry out highly intricate procedures with better accuracy.
The robotic surgical system allows for precise and minimally-invasive surgeries, and the benefits include reduced pain, minimal blood loss, smaller scars, shorter recovery times, reduced risk of infection and improved clinical outcomes.
Dr Sankari, who is based in Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, added: “As the first and only multi-organ transplant centre in the country, we continue to invest in innovative technologies and expertise, delivering unparalleled patient experiences and outcomes.
“The adoption of robot-assisted kidney transplantation reaffirms our position as an innovator in healthcare, elevating the overall standard of medical practice both locally and in the wider region.”
In 2019, Cleveland Clinic marked a significant milestone with the world’s first successful robotic single-port kidney transplant.
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