UAE’s first robotic lung transplant performed in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: The Gulf region’s first robotic lung transplant has been performed at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD), placing it among only five centres worldwide to have accomplished this complex procedure.

The hospital successfully conducted robotic lung transplants on two patients suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and secondary pulmonary hypertension, both of which progressively damage lung function and make breathing increasingly difficult.

The highly intricate procedures were led by Dr Usman Ahmad, Chair of Thoracic Surgery, supported by a multidisciplinary team including Dr Yusuf Bayrak, Dr Andres Obeso, Dr Binu Esaw, Dr Arun Kumar, and pulmonary specialists Dr Fadi Hamed, Dr Said Isse, and Dr Miriam Mihalechkova.

Due to the severity of the patients' conditions, the surgeries required the use of Veno-Arterial ECMO – a life-saving technique that temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs while the damaged lungs are replaced.

Dr Ahmad noted that it was one of the most complex and high-stakes operations undertaken at the hospital.

“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,” he said, noting the robotic-assisted surgery reduced trauma to chest, reduced bleeding, and accelerated recovery.
“It stands as a profound achievement not only for CCAD, but for the UAE in its evolution in complex surgical care.”

The success of the transplants was made possible by the selfless generosity of donor families, the support of Hayat – the National Programme for Organ Donation and Transplantation, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP).

Dr Georges-Pascal Haber, CEO of CCAD, highlighted the institution’s commitment to innovation.
“We’re proud to be global pioneers in robotic surgery. Being one of only a handful of centres in the world capable of performing these procedures reflects the exceptional skill, talent, and world-class expertise we have at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. It also reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for healthcare innovation.”

Dr Fadi Hamed, Staff Physician, Critical Care, Integrated Hospital Care Institute, noted that CCAD’s Lung Transplant Programme delivers world-class care with success rates matching global standards.
“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.”
Since relaunching its programme in 2022, CCAD has completed more than 60 lung transplants. The programme continues to draw patients with end-stage lung disease from across the globe for conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and bronchiectasis.