<p><img src="/nairobi/PublishingImages/robotic%20surgery%20body%20image.jpg" alt="" style="margin: 5px;"/> </p><p>The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH,N), has successfully performed the region&#39;s first robotic gallbladder removal surgery, marking a major milestone in the advancement of surgical care.</p><p>The procedure, known medically as a robotic-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy, combines the expertise of highly trained surgeons with advanced robotic technology that enhances precision, visualization and control during surgery.</p><p>The achievement expands access to next-generation minimally invasive care and reinforces AKUH,N&#39;s position as a regional leader in medical innovation.</p><p>“Robotic-assisted surgery builds on the benefits of conventional keyhole surgery by providing surgeons with a three-dimensional view of the surgical field, greater flexibility of movement, and improved access to areas that can be difficult to visualize using traditional techniques,&quot; said Dr Abdulkarim Abdalla, Chair of the Department of Surgery at the Hospital</p><p>The technology enables surgeons to perform delicate procedures with greater accuracy while maintaining the well-established benefits of minimally invasive surgery.</p><p>Despite its name, the robot does not perform the operation independently. The surgeon remains in the operating theatre and controls every movement of the camera and surgical instruments from a specialised console.</p><p>“The robotic instruments have a greater range of movement and closely mimic the motions of the human hand, enabling greater precision and control during surgery. This allows us to perform procedures more safely,&quot; added Dr Abdalla</p><p>The technology also allows surgeons to operate while seated comfortably at a console, reducing fatigue during lengthy procedures. Combined with enhanced vision and greater instrument flexibility, it supports better precision during complex surgical tasks such as stitching in confined spaces.</p><p>For patients, robotic-assisted procedures offer the same core benefits associated with minimally invasive surgery, including smaller incisions, less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.</p><p>Commenting on the milestone, CEO Rashid Khalani, said:</p><p>“Since our inception, Aga Khan University Hospital has built a tradition of introducing many healthcare firsts for Kenya and the region. This latest milestone continues that legacy. We invest in innovation because it enables safer, precise and evidence-based care for our patients.&quot;</p><p>He added that this is the beginning of a broader journey to make robotic-assisted surgery available to more patients while advancing surgical excellence, research and training across the region.
</p>