The Aga Khan University Hospital, in Nairobi (AKUH, N), has performed the region’s first robotic-assisted gallbladder removal surgery, marking a major step forward in the adoption of advanced minimally invasive surgical care in East Africa.
The procedure, medically known as robotic-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy, combines conventional keyhole surgery with robotic technology designed to give surgeons enhanced visualization, precision and control. The milestone is expected to expand access to next-generation surgical care while strengthening the hospital’s position as a regional centre for medical innovation.
Dr Abdulkarim Abdalla, Chair of the Hospital’s Department of Surgery, said the technology builds on the established benefits of conventional laparoscopic surgery by providing surgeons with a three-dimensional view of the surgical field and greater flexibility in manipulating surgical instruments.
“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,” Dr Abdalla said.
Unlike the impression created by the term “robotic surgery,” the robotic system does not operate independently. The surgeon remains in control throughout the procedure, directing the camera and surgical instruments from a specialised console in the operating theatre.
According to Dr Abdalla, the robotic instruments are capable of a greater range of movement and closely replicate the movements of the human hand, allowing surgeons to perform delicate tasks with increased precision and control.
The system also provides an ergonomic advantage for surgeons, who can operate while seated at the console. This may help reduce fatigue during lengthy procedures, while enhanced vision and instrument flexibility can assist with technically demanding tasks, including stitching in confined surgical spaces.
For patients, robotic-assisted surgery retains the key advantages associated with minimally invasive procedures. These include smaller incisions, reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery compared with traditional open surgery.
Hospital Chief Executive Officer Rashid Khalani said the procedure is another milestone in the institution’s history of introducing new medical technologies and services in Kenya and the wider region.
“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,” Khalani said. He said investment in medical innovation was aimed at supporting safer, more precise and evidence-based care for patients.
Khalani added that the robotic gallbladder procedure represents the beginning of a wider programme to make robotic-assisted surgery available to more patients, while also advancing surgical training, research and clinical excellence across the region. The introduction of robotic-assisted surgery comes as healthcare institutions across Africa increasingly explore advanced technologies aimed at improving surgical outcomes and expanding access to specialised care-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
