American Hospital Dubai Performs City's First Robotic Mitral Valve Repair

American Hospital Dubai has performed what it says is Dubai's first robotic mitral valve repair, using the da Vinci robotic surgical platform to treat a patient with severe mitral valve disease.

The procedure was led by Dr Mohi Mitiek, Head of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, alongside the hospital's multidisciplinary heart team. According to the hospital, it is currently the only healthcare facility in the UAE offering robotic cardiac surgery.

The patient, a 60-year-old man with degenerative mitral valve disease, had developed severe mitral regurgitation despite ongoing medical treatment and monitoring. Following an assessment by the hospital's cardiology and cardiac surgery teams, he was presented with three treatment options: conventional open-heart surgery through a median sternotomy, minimally invasive surgery via a small thoracotomy incision, or robotic surgery performed through small incisions between the ribs.

The patient opted for the robotic approach, which the hospital said is associated with reduced pain, less blood loss, fewer blood transfusions, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery.

During the procedure, surgeons reconstructed the mitral valve, with a post-operative echocardiogram confirming the elimination of the regurgitation. The patient was able to walk independently the following day, resumed eating normally and was discharged three days after surgery.

American Hospital Dubai said it was the first hospital in the region to introduce the fourth-generation da Vinci Robotic Surgical System. Its Centre of Excellence in Robotic Surgery is also accredited by the US-based Surgical Review Corporation, making it the first private healthcare facility in the region to receive the recognition.