Robotic Left Liver Lobe Transplant Performed For The First Time In Saudi Arabia

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has marked a significant milestone by conducting the first fully robotic left lobe liver transplant from a living donor. This innovative procedure, overseen by Dieter Broering, Executive Director of the Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, aims to extend the advantages of robotic transplants—such as increased precision, quicker recovery, and fewer complications—to more patients.

The use of robotics in left lobe liver transplants represents a major advancement. Traditionally, living donor liver transplants have focused on right-lobe grafts. This new approach offers hope to patients who were previously unsuitable for minimally invasive surgeries due to anatomical issues. The procedure was successfully performed on two individuals: a 26-year-old with end-stage liver disease caused by autoimmune hepatitis and a 48-year-old suffering from primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).

KFSHRC's medical team utilised cutting-edge robotic technology to perform these transplants. The precision offered by this system allowed for improved surgical views, benefiting both donors and recipients. Both patients experienced positive outcomes, including minimal blood loss and brief stays in the intensive care unit lasting between two to four days.

In 2023, KFSHRC achieved global recognition by performing the world's first fully robotic liver transplant from a living donor. Following this groundbreaking event, they completed 31 additional fully robotic liver transplants. In 2024, they made headlines again with the world's first fully robotic heart transplant.

KFSHRC has been acknowledged as a leader in robotic transplant surgery worldwide. It has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and holds the 20th position globally among the top 250 academic medical centres for two consecutive years. Additionally, it is recognised as the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East according to Brand Finance's 2024 rankings.

The hospital's reputation extends further as it was listed among the world's best 250 hospitals and featured in Newsweek magazine's World's Best Smart Hospitals list for 2025. These accolades highlight KFSHRC's commitment to advancing healthcare through innovation and excellence.

This achievement underscores KFSHRC's dedication to pioneering advancements in medical procedures that benefit patients worldwide. By leveraging state-of-the-art technology, they continue to set new standards in healthcare delivery.

With inputs from SPA