First Robotic Nephrectomy Between the UAE and Pakistan

 Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi                                                                             

   Cross-Border Surgery.. First Robotic Nephrectomy Between the UAE and Pakistan

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has successfully performed the first robot-assisted remote ureterectomy and nephrectomy between the UAE and Pakistan.

This significant medical achievement reflects the rapid advancements in cross-border robotic surgery and expands access to advanced healthcare for complex cases.

The procedure was performed on a patient residing in Pakistan, more than 1,000 kilometers from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Expert urologists at the hospital managed the entire operation remotely from a control unit in the UAE, maintaining a secure and direct connection with the medical team in Pakistan.

The patient was suffering from a complex medical condition resulting from a severe kidney stone that caused a complete urethral obstruction and kidney failure, necessitating the removal of the ureter and kidney. After being referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi due to its advanced expertise in urology, it was decided to perform the surgery remotely with robotic assistance.

Dr. Robert Abu-Asali, President of the Institute of Integrated Surgery, oversaw the procedure from the patient's location in Pakistan. He assessed the patient's readiness, monitored safety procedures, and observed the operation in real time. Dr. Rabih Madhi, a urologist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, operated the robotic system from a control center in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Georges Pascal Haber, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, emphasized that this achievement exemplifies what Abu Dhabi can accomplish when medical expertise meets technological innovation to elevate the landscape of healthcare. 

He noted that the hospital will continue, in collaboration with partners and healthcare providers across borders, to expand this model to provide world-class care to patients regardless of their geographical location.

For their part, Dr. Robert Abu-Asali stated that this medical collaboration contributed to overcoming the challenges faced during the procedure and ensuring the highest standards of accuracy and safety across borders. 

Dr. Rabih Madi emphasized that remote surgery represents the new generation of robot-assisted care, and this procedure proved that adopting appropriate protocols provides a level of accuracy, control, and safety comparable to the presence of a surgeon in the operating room, despite geographical distances.

The robot-assisted ureterectomy and nephrectomy were completed without any complications, minimizing patient pain, accelerating recovery, and enabling early hospital discharge, thanks to the precision of minimally invasive robotic surgery.