King Abdulaziz University completes 1000 robotic surgical procedures
In a move reflecting the rapid development of the healthcare sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz University , represented by its University Hospital, has achieved a significant medical milestone by performing over 1,000 successful surgeries within its robotic surgery . This achievement is the result of integrated efforts between medical, administrative, and technical staff, and reinforces the hospital's position as a leading center for advanced healthcare, directly aligning with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which aims to improve the quality of healthcare services and enhance operational efficiency.
Historical leadership and technological development
This achievement was not a sudden occurrence, but rather the culmination of a long history of early adoption of modern technologies. King Abdulaziz University Hospital was among the first medical institutions in the Middle East to introduce robotic technology, with the first operation performed in April 2007 using the da Vinci Standard system. The year 2018 witnessed a significant leap forward with the introduction of the advanced da Vinci X generation, which contributed to increased surgical precision and expanded the scope to include highly specialized and complex fields.
Specialized specializations and high-quality operations for the first time
Dr. Raed Anwar Azhar, head of the robotic surgery committee at the university hospital, explained that the surgeries performed were complex and specialized, and were not limited to a single specialty. Kidney and urological surgery topped the list of most frequently used specialties, followed by gynecological surgery, general surgery, thoracic surgery, and most recently, cardiac surgery.
Dr. Azhar pointed out that the hospital has achieved a leading position in the Kingdom and the region in performing complex operations, such as:
- Microsurgical reconstructive ureter surgery.
- Kidney vascular surgery.
- Advanced procedures in liver and pancreas surgery led by Dr. Murad Al-Jafri.
Advantages of robotic surgery for the patient and the healthcare system
Robotic surgery is based on an evidence-based approach to medicine, where the robot provides the surgeon with a magnified 3D view up to ten times that of the naked eye, along with superior hand vibration filtering and 360-degree instrument rotation. These technological advantages are directly reflected in the patient through:
- Significantly reduce blood loss during the procedure.
- Relieving pain after surgery and reducing the need for painkillers.
- Reducing the length of hospital stay, thus increasing the efficiency of medical bed utilization.
- The small size of the surgical incisions allows for a faster return to normal life and better cosmetic results.
A vision for the future: Remote education and surgery
The university hospital isn't content with this figure; Dr. Azhar revealed an ambitious expansion plan based on two main pillars: first, increasing capacity by equipping the hospital with the latest technologies, and second, enhancing education through expanding specialized fellowship programs to graduate a new generation of skilled Saudi surgeons. The hospital also looks to the future by adopting telesurgery , with robotic surgery becoming the primary option for clinically feasible cases.
