Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has successfully performed the first cross-border robotic nephroureterectomy between the UAE and Pakistan through telesurgery, connecting advanced surgical expertise in Abu Dhabi with a patient located more than 1,000 kilometers away in Pakistan.
The milestone procedure represents a significant advancement in robotic surgery, cross-border healthcare collaboration, and access to specialized medical care.
The patient in Pakistan was diagnosed with a complex condition requiring a nephroureterectomy and was referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi for its expertise in urology and advanced robotic therapies.
The procedure was conducted using robotic-assisted surgical technology, with Dr. Robert Abouassaly, Chair of the Integrated Surgical Institute, positioned beside the patient in Pakistan, while Dr. Rabii Madi, Staff Physician in Urology, operated the robotic console remotely from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
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Dr. Robert Abouassaly stated: “For this patient, access to advanced robotic surgery in Pakistan would have been difficult, and this collaboration helped facilitate access. Through telesurgery, we ensured the highest standards of precision and safety across borders, while providing the same advanced, best-in-class care delivered at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.”
During the procedure, Dr. Abouassaly remained at the patient’s bedside to assess patient readiness, ensure safety, and monitor the surgery in real time, while Dr. Madi controlled the robotic system remotely from Abu Dhabi.
The telesurgical procedure relied on a secure, dedicated high-speed digital connection that enabled synchronized real-time coordination between both locations, ensuring seamless surgical execution despite the geographical distance.
Dr. Rabii Madi commented: “Telesurgery represents the next frontier of robotic-assisted care. This procedure demonstrated that with the right protocols, remote surgery can deliver the same level of precision, control, and safety as being physically present in the operating theatre.”
The robotic-assisted nephroureterectomy was completed successfully without complications. Due to the minimally invasive nature of robotic surgery, the patient experienced minimal pain, rapid recovery, and early discharge.
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The success of the procedure highlights the growing potential of telesurgery to bridge healthcare access gaps and extend advanced surgical expertise to patients who may otherwise face barriers to receiving specialized treatment.
By combining robotic precision, digital infrastructure, and international clinical collaboration, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi continues to advance new models of accessible, technology-enabled healthcare delivery.
