Abu dhabi: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has performed the first cross-border robotic nephroureterectomy via telesurgery between the UAE and Pakistan, connecting its advanced surgical capabilities with a patient located over 1,000 kilometres away. The patient in Pakistan was diagnosed with a complex condition, requiring a nephroureterectomy. Referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi for its expertise in urology and advanced therapies, the hospital performed the surgery remotely using robotic technology.
According to Emirates News Agency, the procedure was guided by Dr. Robert Abouassaly, Chair of the Integrated Surgical Institute, who was by the patient's bedside in Pakistan, while Dr. Rabii Madi, Staff Physician, Urology, operated the console at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Dr. Georges-Pascal Haber, Chief Executive Officer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, emphasized that this remote surgery demonstrates the potential of combining expertise and innovation to redefine healthcare delivery. He stated the intention to scale this model globally to make world-class care accessible irrespective of geographical constraints.
Dr. Robert Abouassaly highlighted the significance of this collaboration, noting that advanced robotic surgery access would have been challenging for the patient in Pakistan. Through telesurgery, the team ensured precision and safety, providing advanced care equivalent to what is delivered at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Dr. Rabii Madi operated the robotic system from a console in Abu Dhabi, utilizing a secure high-speed digital connection to achieve real-time, synchronised coordination, which enabled seamless surgical execution despite the distance.
The robotic-assisted nephroureterectomy was completed without complications, allowing the patient to experience minimal pain, rapid recovery, and early discharge due to the minimally invasive nature of robotic surgery. The success of this telesurgery underscores its potential to bridge disparities in medical care and extend expertise to patients who might otherwise need to travel elsewhere for treatment.
