June 26, 2017

First Kidney Transplant Performed at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

Living donor kidney transplant from son to mother launches program

650×450-CCAD_Ex-8

Surgeons have performed the first kidney transplant at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD). The living related donor procedure this spring heralds the medical center’s development of a comprehensive transplant center.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

The patient, a 73-year-old United Arab Emirates (UAE) national with diabetes and hypertension, received a kidney donated by her son. She is receiving follow-up care from a team of CCAD physicians, social workers, dieticians and transplant coordinators.

“By coming to the hospital for a pre-emptive transplant before needing to commence dialysis treatment, the patient has been able to increase both her quality and quantity of life,” says urologist Bashir Sankari, MD, Chief of the Surgical Subspecialties Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and lead surgeon for the operation.

“Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi aims to bring multidisciplinary expertise in a range of fields to the UAE, and this first successful transplant operation demonstrates the huge positive impact that these operations can offer,” Dr. Sankari notes. A veteran of Cleveland Clinic for more than 25 years, Dr. Sankari has performed more than 1,000 kidney transplants.

Advertisement

Need for transplant is great in UAE

More than 2,000 patients in the UAE currently undergo regular dialysis treatment for kidney diseases. In its 2016 Global Report on Diabetes, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated the prevalence of people with diabetes (adults 18+ years) at 13.7 percent in the Eastern Mediterranean region, the highest among all regions worldwide in 2014. In addition, WHO estimates high blood glucose age-standardized mortality rates per 100,000 by WHO region (age 20+) as highest in Eastern Mediterranean region at 139.6 (compared to the European region, the lowest rate, at 55.7).

Legislative changes opening the door

The UAE has made significant progress in the legal framework surrounding organ transplants in recent years. Recent changes in legislation legalize cadaver transplantation in the Emirates, and CCAD is preparing to become part of a national deceased-donor program. The National Organ Transplant Committee is developing a system to allow residents to register as possible donors via their Emirates ID Card.

Comprehensive transplant center at CCAD

CCAD’s transplant center will support a full range of procedures, including kidney, liver, heart and lung transplantation. The medical center’s group practice model, which brings together a broad spectrum of specialists from a variety of disciplines, will provide supporting personnel for the new center.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic surgeons were among the first to perform kidney transplantation beginning in 1963. Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Renal and Pancreas Transplantation offers a complete services for patients with advanced renal failure facing the possibility of renal replacement therapy.

Related Articles

23-URL-3973558 CQD 650×450-B
July 11, 2023
Moving Closer Toward Narcotic-Free Kidney Transplantation

Smaller incision may lead to reduced postoperative pain for some patients

URL_Valleriano_3420447_Dr Wee_GUKI YIR_11-18-22_MLC
January 3, 2023
Kidney Transplantation: Addressing the Organ Shortage by Improving Transplant Stewardship

Improving access to lifesaving kidney transplant

Masked Medical Appointment
March 21, 2022
Pilot Study to Create Automated Referral Process for Kidney Transplants

The process could improve access and equity for patients with end-stage kidney disease

22-URL-2682158 – CQD 650×450
February 3, 2022
A Closer Look at Single-Port Robotic Kidney Transplant: Venous and Arterial Anastomosis (Video)

Video offers glimpse into technically challenging portion of the procedure

650×450-Covid-and-Kidneys
September 7, 2021
Early Successes in Kidney Transplantation From Deceased Donors With COVID-19

Infectious disease and kidney transplant specialists share key insights

650×450-Dialysis-Safety-Wong
September 2, 2021
Many High-Priority Patients Not Placed on Kidney Transplant Waitlist

Demographic and social factors found to influence preemptive listing

650×450-Kidney-Transplant-Access
March 26, 2021
Access to Kidney Transplantation Unchanged Over 20 Years

New interventions and policies haven’t increased wait-listing

650×450-SPSurgery
November 5, 2019
First Kidney Transplant Performed in the World Using Single-Port Robot

Cleveland Clinic surgeons use single-incision robotic surgery to perform kidney transplant

Ad