Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has performed the country’s first robotic bilateral kidney transplant using organs from a deceased donor. The procedure was carried out on a 78-year-old Emirati patient with end-stage renal disease, who had been on dialysis for three years.

The surgery involved transplanting both kidneys from a single donor to improve the patient’s kidney function. A bilateral approach was chosen as the donor kidneys, on their own, would not have been sufficient to meet the patient’s needs.

Robotic Surgery Brings New Solutions

Robotic-assisted technology played a key role in this operation, allowing surgeons to perform the transplant through a single, minimally invasive incision. This method helps reduce recovery time and minimizes risks often associated with traditional surgery.

Doctors noted that this technique is especially useful when donor kidneys are smaller or have reduced function, a common occurrence with organs from deceased donors.

The patient, who was considered high-risk due to secondary diabetes, was discharged a few days after the procedure, highlighting the potential benefits of robotic surgery in complex cases.

A Step Forward for Medical Innovation

This latest development reflects the growing adoption of robotic technology in healthcare, particularly for organ transplants.

Since launching its transplant program in 2017, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has completed more than 700 transplants, including 310 kidney procedures.

The success of this operation not only provides a new option for patients with advanced kidney disease but also signals progress in the use of innovative techniques to address critical medical needs in the UAE.