RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre has achieved a major breakthrough in organ transplantation by performing the world’s first series of single-port robotic liver resections from living donors.
The innovation marks a significant step forward in surgical precision and donor safety, said a press release issued by the hospital carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.
The procedure was carried out through a single incision of no more than 3.5 cm—replacing the multiple incisions typically required in conventional robotic surgery.
This approach reduces post-operative pain, shortens recovery time, and maintains high safety standards.
The milestone is particularly important for donor safety, as living donors undergo surgery solely to benefit others.
The procedures, performed on six donors, resulted in minimal blood loss, no complications, low pain levels, and hospital discharge within two to three days.
The technique also enhances safety in pediatric liver transplants, where the left lateral segment—around 20% of total liver volume—is commonly used.
This makes it especially suitable for single-port access while minimising the surgical burden on the donor.
Executive Director of the Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence, Dieter Broering, said the achievement reflects a carefully structured expansion of robotic liver surgery based on extensive experience.
He noted that the hospital has performed over 1,600 robotic living donor liver resections—the highest number globally—supported by a progressive model combining training, simulation, and phased clinical implementation.
The accomplishment further strengthens KFSH’s global standing in robotic surgery and organ transplantation, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s healthcare transformation goals and the hospital’s vision to deliver world-class specialised care.
The institution continues to receive international recognition, ranking among the top academic medical centres worldwide and earning multiple distinctions for excellence in healthcare innovation.
