Abu Dhabi’s Cleveland Clinic has achieved a medical breakthrough by performing the United Arab Emirates’ first robotic-assisted breast reconstruction surgery. This revolutionary procedure marks a significant advancement in women’s healthcare and reconstructive surgery techniques.
The pioneering surgery was conducted on a breast cancer survivor by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Raffi Gurunian, Dr. Ahmad Matalkah, and Dr. Mario Cherubino. The surgical team utilized state-of-the-art robotic technology that provided three-dimensional visualization and ultra-precise instrumentation, enabling meticulous handling of blood vessels and minimal tissue trauma.
Unlike traditional Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction—considered the current gold standard—this robotic approach allowed surgeons to harvest abdominal tissue through significantly smaller incisions while preserving muscle integrity. The harvested tissue was then successfully used to recreate a natural-looking breast with optimal aesthetic results.
The patient experienced substantially reduced postoperative pain and accelerated recovery compared to conventional surgical methods. This breakthrough is particularly significant given breast cancer’s status as the most prevalent cancer among women in the UAE and worldwide.
Dr. Gurunian emphasized the procedure’s transformative potential: ‘Robotic-assisted reconstruction represents the future of reconstructive surgery, providing minimally invasive solutions that reduce pain, abdominal complications, and recovery time. Completing this complex, high-precision surgery without complications demonstrates the tremendous potential of robotic technology in advancing patient care.’
The successful implementation of this technique offers new hope for breast cancer survivors seeking natural reconstruction options while avoiding the abdominal weaknesses, hernia risks, and extended recovery periods associated with traditional methods.