Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a form of keyhole surgery. Our surgeons operate through a few small cuts, controlling the instruments from a nearby console. Every movement is made by the surgeon, not the robot. For many operations, it can mean less pain, smaller scars, and a quicker recovery than open surgery.

What is robotic surgery?

Robotic surgery, or robot-assisted surgery, is a way of doing keyhole (minimally invasive) surgery. The surgeon sits at a console beside you and controls slender instruments on robotic arms, watching a magnified 3D view. The robot doesn't act on its own; the surgeon makes every movement. It's used for planned operations across the bowel, abdominal wall, and upper digestive tract. Your surgeon decides whether it suits you, can change to open or keyhole surgery if needed, and oversees your recovery.

When is robotic surgery used?

Your surgeon may suggest a robotic approach, rather than it being a service you book directly. It tends to suit planned keyhole operations, and can help most with those deep in the pelvis or abdomen, where instruments that bend like a wrist and a magnified view let the surgeon work in a tight space. Whether it fits depends on the operation, your general health, and any surgery you've had before.

You'd usually come to us after a referral from your GP or another specialist, once the problem that needs surgery has been diagnosed. At your appointment, the surgeon considers whether a robotic, keyhole or open approach suits your operation, weighing the benefits and risks of each. The robotic option isn't right for everyone, and choosing the right approach for your case is a normal part of that conversation.

What to expect

Before surgery, you'll meet the surgeon to go over your diagnosis and any scans you've already had. They'll explain what the operation involves, what the robotic approach means for you, and its risks and benefits, so you can give informed consent. You may also have routine checks, such as blood tests, before a date is set. This is a good time to ask about your recovery and how long you may need off work.

The operation is done under general anaesthetic, with the surgeon at the console and the theatre team beside you. Most people go home within a few days and get back to normal activities sooner than after open surgery, though how quickly you recover can vary from person to person. Occasionally the surgeon changes to open surgery partway through if that's safer. Afterwards, a follow-up appointment checks how you're healing, and your surgeon explains the next step with you.

Robotic surgery at Mediclinic

We offer robotic surgery at Mediclinic City Hospital in Dubai. A robotic surgery system supports our general surgery team, who use it for planned bowel, hernia and gallbladder operations. The surgeon stays in charge of the operation throughout, and every movement is theirs. Each case is planned in advance with the wider surgical team, so the right approach is chosen for you. Where a robotic approach isn't suitable, we also offer standard keyhole and open surgery.