Robotic-Assisted DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Marks UAE Milestone In Abu Dhabi

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has carried out the UAE’s first robotic-assisted Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction on a breast cancer survivor following mastectomy. The achievement advances women’s reconstructive options in the country and links robotic surgery with complex microsurgical breast reconstruction.

The operation used the patient’s own abdominal tissue to rebuild the breast, aiming for a natural appearance with fewer visible scars. Robotic tools helped surgeons reach the needed tissue through small incisions, which supported faster recovery and less disruption to abdominal structures.

Conventional DIEP flap surgery usually requires relatively long openings in the muscle covering layer. These incisions can increase the risks of abdominal weakness, hernia formation, longer recovery, and more postoperative pain. Robotic-assisted DIEP flap breast reconstruction reduces these concerns by limiting the incision length and preserving supportive tissue.

With robotic-assisted DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the surgical team harvested abdominal tissue while keeping the muscle and fascial integrity intact. Three-dimensional visualisation and wristed instruments allowed careful dissection of the abdominal blood vessels. This helped protect vital structures and limit trauma to the abdominal wall during the procedure.

Dr. Georges-Pascal Haber, Chief Executive Officer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said, "This is a surgical milestone that reflects what healthcare in the UAE is becoming. At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, we’re combining world-class expertise with the most advanced technologies to deliver a quality of care that was once available only abroad. Performing the UAE’s first robotic-assisted DIEP flap breast reconstruction shows how far we’ve come and how committed we are to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, right here in Abu Dhabi."

Dr. Raffi Gurunian, Staff Physician, Integrated Surgical Institute and Section Head of Plastic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said, "Robotic-assisted reconstruction allows us to work with enhanced accuracy and minimises many of the side effects observed after the conventional DIEP flap reconstructive surgery that is the current gold standard in breast reconstruction surgery. It was a complex, high-precision surgery that was completed with no complications. We believe this represents the future of reconstructive surgery, providing patients with minimally invasive solutions that reduce pain, abdominal issues, and recovery time."

The successful robotic-assisted DIEP flap breast reconstruction highlights how advanced surgical technologies are being applied within the UAE healthcare system. For breast cancer survivors seeking natural, less invasive reconstruction, the technique offers an additional option that aims to reduce pain, protect abdominal strength, and shorten recovery while using the patient’s own tissue.

With inputs from WAM