Robotic Liver Transplant - World First

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has successfully performed a groundbreaking robotic liver transplant from two living donors, marking a global first in fully robotic dual-donor liver transplantation. This achievement represents a significant milestone in the hospital’s advanced robotic liver transplant program, which has now exceeded 100 procedures.

The complex surgical intervention required harvesting two left liver lobes from two living related donors to ensure adequate liver volume for the recipient while maintaining safe residual liver volumes for both donors. This innovative approach demonstrates the Organ Transplant Center of Excellence’s capability to deliver personalized treatment solutions through a completely robotic pathway, encompassing both donor surgeries and recipient transplantation.

Exceptional Surgical Outcomes and Recovery

The procedure yielded outstanding results with no complications recorded for either the donors or the recipient. Both donors were discharged from the hospital on the third day following surgery, demonstrating the minimally invasive benefits of robotic surgery. The recipient’s condition stabilized progressively, leaving the intensive care unit after seven days before completing the necessary hospitalization period for medical monitoring and supportive care during the recovery phase.

Advanced Robotic Liver Transplant Technology

The robotic liver transplant technique offers numerous advantages over traditional open surgery, including enhanced precision, reduced blood loss, smaller incisions, and faster recovery times. This world-first dual-donor robotic procedure expands the boundaries of what can be safely achieved in living donor liver transplantation, opening new possibilities for patients requiring larger liver volumes.

Expert Leadership and Vision

“This procedure reflects the phased expansion in the use of robotic surgery in liver transplantation, based on extensive cumulative experience in this field. The deployment of advanced technologies aims to support surgical safety, accelerate recovery, and improve long-term quality of life, with strict commitment to preserving donor safety at all stages of treatment.”
Professor Dieter Broering, Executive Director of Organ Transplantation

Global Recognition and Excellence

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa, and 15th globally among the world’s top 250 academic healthcare institutions for 2025. The hospital holds the distinction of being the highest-valued healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East according to Brand Finance 2024. Additionally, it has been featured in Newsweek’s lists of the World’s Best Hospitals 2025, Best Smart Hospitals 2026, and Best Specialized Hospitals 2026.

This pioneering achievement reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in advanced medical innovation and transplant surgery, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of healthcare excellence through cutting-edge technology and world-class medical expertise.