Sidra launches paediatric robotic surgery programme

Sidra Medicine has launched the paediatric robotic surgery programme to perform and instruct its paediatric surgeons on the latest techniques.

The programme is designed to ensure Sidra Medicine practitioners can offer the best and the safest medical care to patients in Qatar and the region.

The launch of the programme not only confirms Sidra Medicine’s commitment to providing world-class patient care, but also establishes it as a key player in promoting medical education in the region.

The dedicated paediatric robotic programme, the first of its kind in the Middle East, includes an interactive robotic platform that can be used by the teacher and students simultaneously. During the training, surgical residents practise complex tasks through tiny incisions using robotic technology.

Compared to traditional open surgery, robotic surgery results in less pain and scarring and shorter recovery times for patients.The goal of the programme is to perform surgeries and instruct participants from all paediatric surgical disciplines and departments at Sidra Medicine and participants from other healthcare organisations.

“The vast majority of patients around the world are still being offered open surgery, despite all the advantages of minimally-invasive surgery, because of a gap in skills to operate robots like the Da Vinci machines we have at Sidra Medicine,” said Dr Mansour Ali, vice chair of Paediatric Surgery at Sidra Medicine.

“Our training programme offers the opportunity to develop this knowledge to the talented residents in Qatar and from across the Middle East.”

“Medical education is a key pillar in Sidra Medicine’s mission to advance healthcare in Qatar and the region. The Paediatric Robotics Programme allows healthcare practitioners access to the latest technology and best practices to ensure that our surgical resident doctors gain the necessary practical skills in a safe environment meant to foster learning and growth,” Dr Ali added.

The Paediatric Robotics Programme is part of Sidra Medicine’s larger strategy of leveraging the latest technology to set new standards of healthcare in Qatar and the region.

Sidra Medicine is home to two Da Vinci surgical robots which facilitate complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach.

The robots are connected to a wide vision screen which allows doctors to perform highly precise procedures. Such technology offers several benefits for paediatric patients including less pain and discomfort post-surgery, a reduced need for an overnight hospital stay for certain procedures as well as a faster return to full activity in many cases.

Additionally, the robots are able to provide doctors with a magnified 3D image, giving them a complete overview of the area that will undergo surgery.

To date, surgeries at Sidra Medicine that have been conducted using the innovative technology included pyeloplasty – the surgical reconstruction or revision of the renal pelvis to drain and decompress the kidney – and cholecystectomy – the surgical removal of the gall bladder.

Peter Morris, CEO at Sidra Medicine stated, “Technology is transforming the way medicine is practised, allowing patients, particularly children, to undergo life-changing treatments with lower risks and faster healing times. Sidra Medicine is committed to delivering best practice medical care, safely and efficiently to the children of Qatar and the region.”

أطلق مركز سدرة للطب برنامجاً لتدريب أطباء الأطفال المقيمين في قطر والمنطقة على استخدام الروبوت في العمليات الجراحية بمنتهى الكفاءة والأمان. يساهم البرنامج في تقديم رعاية صحية عالمية للمرضى، وتعزيز التعليم الطبي في المنطقة، لكونه المتخصص الأول من نوعه في منطقة الشرق الأوسط، ويُقدّم عبر وسيط تفاعلي يسمح للمدرب والمتدرب باستخدامه في آن واحد. ويدرب البرنامج الجراحين المقيمين على استخدام الروبوت لإحداث شقوق متناهية الصغر في جسد المريض، من أجل إجراء مهام جراحية معقدة.;