Khaberni - Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi succeeded in performing the first remote robotic-assisted ureter and kidney removal surgery between the UAE and Pakistan, marking a significant medical milestone that reflects the rapid advances in cross-border robotic surgery and contributes to expanding access to advanced healthcare for complex cases.
The operation was performed for a patient residing in Pakistan, over 1,000 kilometers away from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where expert urologists at the hospital managed the entire operation remotely from a control unit in the UAE, through a direct and secure real-time connection with the medical team present alongside the patient in Pakistan.
Complex Medical Condition
The patient suffers from a complex medical condition resulting from a severe stone causing complete obstruction in the urethra and kidney failure, necessitating the removal of the ureter and kidney. After being referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi for its advanced expertise in urology, the decision was made to proceed with the surgery remotely with robotic assistance.
Dr. Robert Abu Asali, Head of the Integrated Surgery Institute, supervised the procedure from the patient's location in Pakistan. He assessed the patient's readiness, followed safety procedures, and monitored the operation stages moment by moment. Meanwhile, Dr. Rabie Madi, a urologist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, operated the robotic system from the control unit in Abu Dhabi.
The robotic-assisted ureter and kidney removal operation was accomplished without any complications, reducing the patient's pain levels, accelerating the recovery process, and enabling early discharge from the hospital, thanks to the precision of minimal invasive robotic surgery.
Precision and Control
Dr. George Pascal Heber, the CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, affirmed that this achievement exemplifies what Abu Dhabi can achieve when medical expertise meets technological innovation to elevate healthcare standards.
Dr. Robert Abu Asali stated that this medical collaboration helped overcome the challenges faced during the operation and ensured the highest standards of precision and safety across borders. Dr. Rabie Madi affirmed that remote surgery represents the new generation of robotic-assisted care, and this operation proved that adopting appropriate protocols provides a level of precision, control, and safety comparable to the surgeon being in the operation room despite geographical distances.
