Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi leads robotic kidney surgery in UAE

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has conducted three robot-assisted kidney transplants for the first time in the UAE. 

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has recently conducted its first three robot-assisted kidney transplants, which marks a groundbreaking achievement in the UAE’s medical field. 

Dr. Waleed A. Hassen, Department Chair of Urology in the Surgical Subspecialties Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said that the hospital is always looking to push the envelope to expand the utility of robotic and minimally invasive surgery.

“We do that obviously cautiously and thoughtfully, taking into consideration overall patient health and well-being and safety at the forefront. But we're constantly expanding this field, whether it's in our field of Urology or other surgical fields in general,” he said.

Hassen explained the mechanics of robotic surgery, “Robotic arms, used in these procedures, enable us to perform complex surgery within the abdomen using very small incisions. This technology magnifies the surgical field 10 to 12 times more than the naked eye and allows for extremely precise movements.”

When comparing recovery times between robotic and manual surgeries, Hassen highlighted significant benefits. “Avoiding large incisions generally allows patients to recover a few days earlier. This is particularly beneficial for patients with obesity or other comorbidities, shortening their hospital stay considerably,” he noted.

Addressing the role of patient age in recovery, Hassen said that age is always a factor in surgical recovery. However, the minimally invasive nature of robotic surgery assists in quicker recovery even for older patients, who generally take longer to bounce back.

Looking ahead, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi aims to expand the use of robotic surgery as the success of these kidney transplants marks a significant milestone not only for the clinic but also for the wider medical community in the UAE.