ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Doctors at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi have carried out the first cross-border robotic nephroureterectomy between the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, operating on a patient more than 1,000 kilometres away, the hospital said on Tuesday.
The patient in Pakistan was diagnosed with a complex condition requiring a nephroureterectomy and was referred to the Abu Dhabi hospital for its expertise in advanced urological care. The procedure was performed remotely using robotic technology.
The surgery was guided by Dr Robert Abouassaly, chair of the Integrated Surgical Institute, who was at the patient’s bedside in Pakistan, while Dr Rabii Madi, a urology staff physician, operated the robotic console from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
“This remote surgery shows what Abu Dhabi can achieve when expertise and innovation come together, redefining the boundaries of healthcare delivery,” said Dr Georges-Pascal Haber, chief executive of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He added that the hospital plans to expand the model with partners worldwide to improve access to specialised care.
Abouassaly said the collaboration helped overcome limited access to advanced robotic surgery in Pakistan. “Through telesurgery, we ensured the highest standards of precision and safety across borders,” he said.
Using a secure, high-speed digital connection, the team maintained real-time coordination throughout the procedure despite the distance, the hospital said.
The robotic-assisted operation was completed without complications, with the patient experiencing minimal pain, a rapid recovery and early discharge, it added.
Hospital officials said telesurgery has the potential to reduce disparities in access to advanced medical care by extending specialist expertise to patients unable to travel for treatment.
