F E A T U R E
These life-saving surgeries would not have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of organ donor families whose selfless gifts make such transplants possible. The hospital also acknowledged the critical role played by healthcare professionals from donor hospitals, the National Program for Organ Donation and Transplantation – HAYAT, the Department of Health Abu Dhabi and the National Center at the Ministry of Health and Prevention( MOHAP). Their collective efforts form the foundation of the UAE’ s organ donation and transplantation ecosystem and are vital to every success in this field. Recognising their contributions honours the spirit of co-operation, compassion and national progress that makes these achievements possible.
Dr Georges-Pascal Haber, Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said:“ At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, we’ re proud to be global pioneers in robotic surgery, advancing the field of robotic transplantation and bringing new hope to patients in need. Being one of only a handful of centres in the world capable of performing these procedures reflects the exceptional skill, talent and worldclass expertise we have at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. It also reinforces Abu Dhabi’ s position as a global hub for healthcare innovation.”
Robotic-assisted surgery is rarely used in lung transplantation due to its complexity. However, the surgical team’ s proven proficiency in advanced robotic procedures made it a viable option in these cases. Their expertise enabled them to carry out the transplant through smaller incisions, enhancing surgical precision, reducing recovery time and minimising pain and complications even in high-risk cases. This minimally invasive procedure represents the next generation of thoracic surgery, offering hope to patients who may be considered too frail for traditional open surgery.
Ahmad, Division Chair, Thoracic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said:‘ Performing a robotic-assisted lung transplant requires not just the surgical expertise, but more importantly a fully integrated ecosystem of advanced technology, expert anaesthesia support and meticulous perfusion management. In these cases, the robotic approach was chosen due to its minimally invasive nature, which can be particularly beneficial for patients with severe frailty. By using smaller incisions and offering enhanced visualisation, the robotic platform allowed us to reduce trauma to the chest, minimise bleeding and accelerate recovery. This was one of the most complex operations we’ ve ever undertaken, a high-stakes, high-reward scenario and it stands as a profound achievement not only for Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, but for the UAE in its evolution in complex surgical care.’
Building on that, Hamed, Staff Physician, Critical Care, Integrated Hospital Care Institute, said:“ What sets Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’ s Lung Transplant Program apart is our ability to offer timely, high-quality care in a region where such advanced procedures were once considered out of reach, with success rates matching international benchmarks. Our patients benefit from significantly shorter wait times, access to size-matched donor organs through our integrated transplant network and minimal ischemic time, which directly improves outcomes. In addition, our dedicated lung transplant and critical care teams, many of whom have undergone specialised training, work in perfect synergy to ensure patients receive the most cutting-edge personalised care available. This level of coordination and innovation has truly positioned us as a regional leader in lung transplantation.”
Further solidifying its leadership in regional transplant medicine, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has surpassed a significant milestone this year, completing more than 60 lung transplants since the relaunch of the programme in 2022, establishing itself as the most advanced and active centre of its kind in the region.
These cases exemplify the programme’ s potential and underscore Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’ s emergence as a global referral hub for patients with end-stage lung disease including complex conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and bronchiectasis.
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Dr Usman Ahmad led the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi team that performed the Gulf region’ s first robotic lung transplant. Courtesy of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
The success of these procedures was made possible by a seamlessly co-ordinated multidisciplinary effort that extended well beyond the operating room. From pre-surgical planning to post-transplant care, teams across surgery, anaesthesia and critical care worked together to ensure the best possible outcomes.
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