Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 group, in collaboration with a team of experts from Cleveland Clinic in the US, has performed its first simultaneous robotic kidney transplant procedure for a donor and recipient using one robot. The achievement is a testament to the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s (DoH) continuous efforts in the field of organ transplantation, integrating the use of science, technology and best practices, showcasing Abu Dhabi’s capabilities as a global healthcare destination.
The procedure involved two UAE Nationals, a donor and recipient who are related, with the recipient diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. The complex surgery required extensive coordination between the donor surgical team and recipient transplant team. The team of surgeons performed the procedures simultaneously in separate operating rooms, with meticulous precision using a single robot.
The robotic surgical system mimics the movements of the surgeons with a greater range of motion and finer control and takes command in real-time to carry out highly intricate procedures with extreme accuracy. The procedure was led by Dr George Haber, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
The simultaneous robotic-kidney transplant offers precise movement, 3D vision, high magnification, and improved ergonomics, allowing surgeon to perform operations through smaller incisions compared to traditional open surgery. The minimally invasive approach results in less blood loss, enhanced accuracy, reduced trauma, and a faster recovery time.
Dr Rashed Obaid Alsuwaidi, the Executive Director of the Healthcare Workforce Planning Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), said: "The Abu Dhabi healthcare sector has made remarkable strides in ensuring the health and well-being of patients in the emirate and beyond in line with the highest global standards. Today, we celebrate a key milestone in organ transplantation that was made possible by Abu Dhabi’s world-class infrastructure and the exceptional skills of its healthcare workforce. It is important initiatives and achievements like these that further cement the emirate’s position as a leading global healthcare destination."
Dr George Haber, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said: "Collaboration is at the heart of medical progress, and this milestone achievement exemplifies the power of teamwork in advancing healthcare. Our partnership with Cleveland Clinic in the US underscores our shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in transplant surgery and ensuring that world-class expertise are accessible to patients in Abu Dhabi and the region. We are proud to stand as one Cleveland Clinic in introducing cutting-edge innovations that ultimately improve patient outcomes and save lives."
Dr Bashir Sankari, Institute Chair, Urology, Surgical Subspecialties Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said: "We believe in the transformative potential of robotic surgery to optimise patient outcomes. Our innovation in attempting the robotic donor and recipient transplant with the same robot stemmed from a patient’s interest, as many are aware of the positive outcomes that robotic surgeries yield. As we have used this technology previously with both donor and recipients separately, we concluded that both donor and recipient can benefit from the same robot at the same time. As the first multi-organ transplant facility in the UAE, we are consistently upgrading our treatment approaches to make them accessible for our patients in the UAE and beyond."
With ongoing collaboration with Cleveland Clinic in the US, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is developing its capabilities to conduct these complex surgeries independently.
Dr Sankari said: "Simultaneous robotic recipient and donor transplant surgery requires a unique blend of transplant and robotic surgical expertise and a lot of meticulous planning, coordination and attention to detail when it comes to preparing the robot to change the workflow from donor to recipient. While we currently collaborate with our global counterparts on a quarterly basis, we are committed to developing our own capabilities to serve more donors and recipients effectively in the coming year. Our team is exploring the potential for robotic liver transplants, with initial successes in partial hepatectomies. We envision broader applications of this technology to benefit more patients."
Dr Mohamed Eltemamy, Staff Physician, Department of Urology at Cleveland Clinic in the US, said: "Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi have once again demonstrated the power of their collaboration by bringing cutting-edge technology to the Gulf region. Our teams have worked tirelessly to ensure that both recipients and donors receive the highest standard of care. The successful integration of robotic technology in our transplant procedures is a testament to the expertise and dedication of the team. This achievement marks a significant step forward in medical innovation and patient care, highlighting the ongoing commitment of Cleveland Clinic to bring the best of healthcare technology to the region."
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is the first multi-organ transplant facility in the UAE. Previously, the hospital conducted seven successful robotic-assisted donor surgeries. Initially developed for prostatectomies and kidney cancer procedures, the innovative approach has been adapted for kidney transplant patients with the primary objective of minimising incision size and post-surgery discomfort. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi now plans to expand the application of robotic technology beyond kidney transplants.
