Gulf’s First Robotic Lung Transplant Performed in Abu Dhabi

In a historic breakthrough for regional healthcare, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has become the first medical institution in the Gulf to perform a robotic lung transplant—making it just the fifth centre worldwide to do so.

The landmark procedure marks a major advancement in the region’s surgical capabilities. Two patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and secondary pulmonary hypertension—both progressive conditions that severely scar the lungs—underwent successful robotic lung transplants at the hospital.

Given the complexity of the cases, which included pulmonary hypertension placing additional strain on the heart and lungs, the surgical team employed Veno-Arterial ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). This technique temporarily takes over the function of both the heart and lungs, ensuring patients’ safety during the transplant.

The surgeries were made possible through the vital contributions of organ donor families, with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi extending its gratitude to the HAYAT National Programme for Organ Donation and Transplantation, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), and the healthcare teams at donor hospitals.

Since the relaunch of its lung transplant programme in 2022, the hospital has performed over 60 lung transplants—more than any other facility in the Gulf.