Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Doctors at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) have performed the UAE’s first robotic thyroid surgery, marking a significant advancement in the country's specialised surgical capabilities and introducing a new treatment option for eligible patients.
The milestone introduces an internationally established surgical technique as an additional option alongside conventional thyroid surgery, which typically involves an incision at the front of the neck. The robotic approach allows surgeons to access the thyroid through small incisions in the armpits, avoiding a visible neck scar. The suitability of this approach is determined based on each patient’s medical assessment.
Caroline, 27 years old, was the first patient to undergo the procedure at SSMC, a flagship hospital and a subsidiary of PureHealth, having sought care at the facility for neck swelling that made swallowing difficult and caused a choking sensation during sleep. Tests revealed a 3-centimetre nodule with abnormal features in the left thyroid lobe, for which surgery was recommended.
Following assessment, SSMC’s surgical team determined that robotic surgery was a suitable option for her condition.
A multidisciplinary team of surgeons, an anaesthetist and nurses, planned and performed the Robotic-Assisted Breast Axillo Insufflation Thyroidectomy (RABIT), accessing the thyroid through small keyhole incisions in both armpits.
The procedure was completed in approximately one hour, and Caroline was discharged the following day.
The robotic system provided surgeons with a magnified, three-dimensional view of the surgical field and tremor filtration, supporting precise movements around delicate structures such as the recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands. The procedure also helps minimise neck discomfort and swallowing difficulties.
Dr Abdulqader Al Messabi, Chief Medical Officer at SSMC, said: “Introducing robotic thyroid surgery in the UAE gives eligible patients access to an additional surgical option closer to home. This milestone reflects the expertise and capabilities we have developed at SSMC to deliver increasingly specialised care in Abu Dhabi. Our priority is to ensure patients have access to advanced treatments that respond to their individual needs.”
Dr Salem Al Harthi, Chair of the Department of Surgery and Consultant Robotic/General Surgeon at SSMC, who performed the surgery, said: “Thyroid surgery requires careful planning because of the delicate nerves and glands surrounding the thyroid. While robotic technology offers greater visualisation and control, selecting the right patient is equally important. This procedure gives us another option for suitable patients, allowing us to consider both their clinical requirements and personal preferences when planning surgery.”
The achievement builds on SSMC’s robotic surgery programme, launched in 2020, through which the hospital has performed more than 1,380 robotic-assisted surgeries across multiple specialties, supported by internationally trained surgeons and advanced robotic platforms.
The UAE’s first robotic thyroidectomy marks a further expansion of SSMC’s specialised surgical capabilities, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s ability to deliver complex procedures locally and broaden access to advanced surgical care within the UAE.
