A breast cancer survivor in Abu Dhabi has successfully undergone the UAE’s first robotic-assisted breast reconstruction surgery, marking a significant milestone in women’s health and reconstructive surgery. The procedure, performed at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, offers hope for patients seeking natural-looking, minimally invasive reconstruction options following mastectomy.
The surgery was led by Dr. Raffi Gurunian, Dr. Ahmad Matalkah, and Dr. Mario Cherubino, supported by a multidisciplinary team of plastic surgeons, breast surgeons, anesthetists, and nursing staff. Utilizing robotic tools, the team harvested abdominal tissue through small incisions while preserving the muscle. This tissue was then used to reconstruct the breast, achieving a natural look and feel.
The robotic system provided surgeons with a three-dimensional view and highly precise instruments, enabling meticulous handling of blood vessels and minimizing trauma. As a result, the patient experienced reduced pain and a faster recovery compared to traditional surgical methods.
“Robotic-assisted reconstruction allows us to work with enhanced accuracy and minimizes many of the side effects associated with conventional surgery,” said Dr. Gurunian, Staff Physician at the Integrated Surgical Institute and Section Head of Plastic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
He added, “It was a complex, high-precision surgery completed without complications. This represents the future of reconstructive surgery, offering patients minimally invasive solutions that reduce pain, abdominal issues, and recovery time. It is incredibly rewarding to achieve this milestone here in the UAE for the first time.”
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women globally and the leading cancer among women in the UAE. Many survivors choose reconstruction following mastectomy, with Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap surgery considered the current gold standard. This traditional method, however, requires extensive incisions into the muscle layer, increasing risks of abdominal weakness, hernia, prolonged recovery, and postoperative pain.
To overcome these drawbacks, the surgical team confirmed the patient was an ideal candidate for the minimally invasive, robotic-assisted approach. She had previously undergone a mastectomy as part of her breast cancer treatment.
