Latest news with #DrUsmanAhmad
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi: 2 critically ill men get new lease on life after complex robotic lung surgery
Two male residents of Abu Dhabi in their 60s, once confined to their homes and reliant on oxygen to survive, have been given a new lease on life after undergoing a robotic-assisted double lung transplant — a first-of-its-kind surgery in the Gulf and among only a few performed globally. The complex procedure, hailed as a major medical milestone, is being seen by experts as a potential turning point in the future of transplant surgery. Both patients were battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and secondary pulmonary hypertension — progressive and life-limiting lung conditions that had left them housebound for over two years. Now, after the transplants, they have resumed daily life — one even took part in a transplant sporting event, a powerful symbol of recovery. 'These were patients who couldn't even walk to the bathroom. Now they're out with their families and look like healthy people; it's a profound transformation," said Dr Usman Ahmad, Chair of Thoracic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Tiny incisions, massive impact Traditional lung transplants require large incisions through the chest or sternum, often involving bone and muscle cuts that extend recovery and increase post-operation pain. In contrast, the robotic technique used in these surgeries involved just three one-centimetre ports and a small 5cm incision to remove and insert the lungs. The robotic system, in this case a Da Vinci robot, allows surgeons to perform the critical reconnections to the heart and airways with enhanced visual precision and minimal physical trauma. "We didn't break any bones, didn't cut through major muscles. That alone has made recovery significantly easier," said Dr Ahmad, who has spent over a decade perfecting robotic techniques in thoracic surgery. While the operation took around eight hours, slightly longer than a traditional lung transplant, the reduced complications and faster patient recovery made the extended duration well worth it. Precise coordination While the robot plays a central role in these surgeries, Dr Ahmad emphasised that success comes down to precise coordination among a 30-member surgical team. 'During those eight hours, about 30 people are involved — from perfusionists running the heart-lung bypass machine, to anaesthesiologists, nurses and critical care specialists. It's one of the most complex choreographies in medicine,' he explained. Both patients were supported by Veno-Arterial ECMO, a life-sustaining system that temporarily replaces heart and lung function during the surgery — a crucial measure given the severity of their illnesses. According to Dr Ahmad, the robotic transplant programme at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has been years in the making, building on the hospital's experience with robotic kidney transplants and a rapidly growing lung transplant programme that relaunched in 2022. Since then, it has completed over 60 lungtransplants, many for international patients. Globally, robotic lung transplants remains rare, with only three or four medical centres attempting it so far. 'It's not that the region is behind — the world itself is just beginning to move in this direction. But what we've done here puts the UAE on the frontier of transplant innovation.' High risk, high reward The robotic approach is not suitable for every patient. It requires careful case selection and can only be performed at centres with both the technological capacity and surgical expertise to execute it safely. 'It's a high-stakes operation, but the rewards, in terms of patient outcomes, are immense,' said Dr Ahmad. Dr. Ahmad credited the UAE's integrated national transplant network for the swift turnaround, noting that both patients underwent surgery within just two months of being listed — an exceptionally short wait compared to global averages. He said this was made possible through regional collaboration and streamlined logistics, allowing for faster, better-matched organ allocation. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi now plans to expand robotic technology into even more complex areas, including transplant and cancer surgeries. 'We've already performed combined heart-lung, lung-liver, and kidney-heart transplants,' said Dr Ahmad. 'Now, we're aiming to bring minimally invasive methods to the most complex cases.' Reflecting on the transformative impact of the procedures, he added: 'These patients become part of our lives. Seeing them return to movement, to breath, to life — that's why we do what we do.'
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi performs first robotic lung transplant in the gulf region
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's lung transplant team continues to push the envelope of surgical innovation, providing patients the latest in surgical care. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has performed more than 60 lung transplants since 2022. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has made history by performing the Gulf region's first-ever robotic lung transplant making it one of the five centers in the world to have performed this surgery. With this landmark complex surgery, two patients have now successfully undergone robotic lung transplants, marking a major milestone in the region's advanced surgical and organ transplant capabilities. Both patients had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as well as secondary pulmonary hypertension, a progressive condition that gradually scars the lungs and makes breathing increasingly difficult. Dr. Usman Ahmad, Chair of Thoracic Surgery, performed the complex robotic procedures along with a multi-disciplinary team of experts, including Drs. Yusuf Bayrak, Andres Obeso, Binu Esaw, Arun Kumar, and pulmonary experts including Drs. Fadi Hamed, Said Isse and Miriam Mihalechkova. These surgeries were quite complex due to pulmonary hypertension, a condition that puts extra strain on the heart and lungs. To support the patients during the operation, the medical team used Veno-Arterial ECMO, a technique that temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs while the damaged lungs are replaced. 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 acknowledges 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. Recognizing their contributions honors the spirit of collaboration, 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 centers 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.' Robotic-assisted surgery is rarely used in lung transplantation due to its complexity, however the surgical team's proven proficiency in performing 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 minimizing pain and complications, even in such 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. Dr. Usman Ahmad, Division Chair, Thoracic Surgery at 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 anesthesia 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 visualization, the robotic platform allowed us to reduce trauma to the chest, minimize 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.' The success of these procedures was made possible by a seamlessly coordinated, multidisciplinary effort that extended well beyond the operating room. From pre-surgical planning to post-transplant care, teams across surgery, anesthesia, and critical care worked together to ensure the best possible outcomes. Building on that, Dr. Fadi 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 specialized training, work in perfect synergy to ensure patients receive the most cutting-edge, personalized 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 over 60 lung transplants since the relaunch of the program in 2022, establishing itself as the most advanced and active center of its kind in the region. These cases exemplify the program's potential and underscores 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 as well as Interstitial Lung Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Bronchiectasis. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Lung Transplant Program, visit: About Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is a multispecialty hospital located on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE. As an extension of Cleveland Clinic in the U.S., it is uniquely designed to address the complex and critical care needs of the UAE and the broader region. The hospital is organized into specialized Institutes, including Heart, Vascular & Thoracic; Neurological; Cancer; Digestive Disease; Medical Subspecialties; Integrated Surgical Subspecialties; Integrated Hospital Care; and Diagnostic. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is a 405-bed hospital, including 321 acute care beds, 84 critical care beds, four royal suites, and 26 operating rooms. Its state-of-the-art facilities provide patients in the region with direct access to world-class healthcare providers and Cleveland Clinic's renowned model of care. The hospital is also home to the Fatima bint Mubarak Center, a dedicated cancer center offering comprehensive diagnostics and advanced treatment across 24 clinical departments, covering a range of cancer subspecialties and programs. Committed to medical innovation, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi integrates robotics across specialties, pioneers' endovascular therapy and hybrid procedures, and offers comprehensive programs in heart failure, heart transplantation, and limb salvage. Licensed by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi as a designated research and teaching facility, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi drives medical innovation through clinical trials and advanced research to enhance patient care. It is the first hospital in the UAE accredited by both the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International (ACGMEI) and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), offering residency and fellowship programs, undergraduate health professional training, and Continuing Medical Education (CME). M42 is a global, tech-enabled healthcare company based in Abu Dhabi, operating at the forefront of medical advancement. Media contact Farah Chaaban –
