UAE’s First Robotic Thyroid Surgery Performed at Abu Dhabi Hospital
Doctors at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) have carried out the United Arab Emirates’ first robotic thyroid surgery, enabling a 27‑year‑old patient to leave the hospital just one day after the operation.
First Robotic Thyroid Surgery in UAE
The procedure marks a new treatment option for eligible patients, allowing surgeons to operate on the thyroid gland through small incisions made in the armpits instead of a traditional cut at the front of the neck.
Procedure Details and Benefits
Using the robotic system, the medical team accessed the thyroid via incisions in both armpits, completing the operation in about one hour. The approach avoids a visible neck scar and provides surgeons with a magnified three‑dimensional view, enhancing precision around delicate nerves and glands.
The technique can also reduce postoperative neck discomfort and swallowing difficulties that sometimes follow conventional thyroid surgery.
Patient Experience and Recovery
The patient, identified as Caroline, 27, sought care after experiencing neck swelling that made swallowing difficult and caused a choking sensation while sleeping. Examinations revealed a 3 cm nodule with abnormal features on the left side of her thyroid gland.
After assessment, doctors recommended surgery and determined that robotic assistance was suitable for her case. She was discharged the following day.
Expert Comments and Hospital Programme
Dr Salem Al Harthi, Chair of the Department of Surgery and Consultant Robotic and General Surgeon at SSMC, performed the operation. He said selecting the right patient is a crucial part of the process.
“Thyroid surgery requires careful planning because of the delicate nerves and glands surrounding the thyroid,” he said. He added that robotic technology offers greater visibility and control, allowing the team to weigh medical needs and personal preferences.
Dr Abdulqader Al Messabi, Chief Medical Officer at SSMC, noted that introducing the procedure gives patients access to another advanced treatment option within the UAE.
SSMC, which operates under PureHealth, launched its robotic surgery programme in 2020. Since then, it has completed more than 1,380 robotic‑assisted procedures across various specialities.
The hospital said this latest achievement will help expand access to specialised surgical treatments in Abu Dhabi, offering eligible patients more choices without the need to travel abroad.
