The surgery entailed complete removal of the colon and rectum with creation of an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and a temporary ileostomy that is scheduled for reversal after three months. According to a WAM report the fully robotic technique provided superior precision in the narrow pelvic anatomy while protecting nerves that control urinary and bowel functions. This approach also helped minimize postoperative pain and supported a quicker return to normal activities for the patient. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi stated that the procedure was accomplished without complications demonstrating the capabilities of its robotic surgery program.
The 37-year-old Emirati patient received a diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis in early 2025 after specialized assessment and colonoscopy WAM reported. She carried a strong family history of colorectal cancer including the loss of her father to the disease at a relatively young age. Familial adenomatous polyposis is described in the report as a rare inherited condition that causes hundreds of polyps to form in the colon and rectum with a lifetime cancer risk approaching 100 percent in untreated cases.
Dr. John Rodriguez chair of the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi said that merging early detection with robotic precision represents the future of proactive healthcare that transforms patient outcomes. In the WAM report Rodriguez stated “This is how healthcare should look as we move beyond treating disease to anticipating and preventing it.” The institute has offered robotic colorectal procedures since 2015 and is recognized by hospital data as one of the few centers in the region providing such advanced options.
Dr. Ali Al Jabri a consultant colorectal surgeon at the hospital who participated in the case stressed the value of surgical intervention prior to cancer development. He told WAM that this type of precise action before malignancy occurs holds particular importance for empowering younger patients with hereditary predispositions. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s colorectal surgery department adopts a multidisciplinary model involving gastroenterologists oncologists and radiologists to tailor care and improve quality of life while reducing recovery times.
Colorectal cancer ranks as the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy in the UAE for both genders according to the UAE National Cancer Registry’s 2023 annual report. The registry documented 532 cases in an earlier reference year within a total of over 5,600 cancer diagnoses with non-nationals accounting for the majority. Recent analyses have noted an increasing proportion of cases among individuals under age 50 prompting calls for enhanced screening programs across the country.
Robotic platforms such as the da Vinci Xi enable three-dimensional magnified views tremor elimination and enhanced instrument maneuverability in colorectal operations a Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi overview of its robotic surgery program indicated. These features have been associated in published studies with lower conversion rates to open surgery reduced blood loss and shorter hospital stays compared with conventional laparoscopy. The hospital’s program extends robotic techniques to multiple specialties including gastrointestinal bariatric and oncologic procedures supporting its position as a regional leader in minimally invasive care.
