Rela Hospital has made global medical history by becoming the first hospital in the world to perform a fully robotic liver transplant on a five-year-old child. This groundbreaking achievement not only sets a new benchmark in liver transplant surgery but also makes the young patient the world’s youngest recipient of a robotic liver transplant.
Treating a Rare Genetic Disorder with Precision
As per the press release, the child suffered from Urea Cycle Defect, a rare genetic condition that prevents the liver from properly processing proteins. As a result, ammonia accumulates in the blood, posing a severe risk to brain function. A liver transplant was the only curative option. Surgeons at Rela Hospital conducted the procedure using a robotic platform, completing the surgery without complications. Remarkably, the child was discharged within just seven days—far shorter than the typical 14 to 21-day recovery period associated with traditional open surgery.
Overcoming Challenges in Pediatric Robotic Surgery
Performing robotic surgery on children presents unique challenges due to the limited space within smaller bodies. Despite this, the surgical team at Rela Hospital successfully navigated these constraints. They also used robotic assistance to harvest the liver segment from a living donor, who was likewise discharged within five days. This dual application of robotic surgery highlights the team’s expertise and the technology’s versatility.
A Complex Auxiliary Liver Transplant Executed with Precision
Prof. Mohamed Rela, Chairman of Rela Hospital, called the procedure a significant milestone in surgical history. He stated, “We have completed a pediatric liver transplant entirely using a robotic platform for the first time. Our team performed the operation as an Auxiliary Liver Transplant, the most technically challenging type, involving delicate microvascular anastomosis techniques. Beyond achieving medical success, this approach enables rapid recovery, reduces pain, and supports normal psycho-social development by avoiding large abdominal scars.”
Advancing Minimally Invasive Surgery
Dr. Rajesh Rajalingam, Clinical Lead for HPB Surgery and Senior Consultant in Liver Transplantation, emphasized the broader implications of this success. “Robotic surgery ensures greater precision and safety, while significantly reducing postoperative pain and hospital stay. At our center, over 400 live liver donors have already benefited from this advancement. Extending these benefits to pediatric patients represents a major leap forward in minimally invasive surgery,” he said. He also noted the emotional and medical impact of seeing both the mother and child discharged within a week, each with minimal scarring.
Transforming the Future of Paediatric Liver Care
Dr. Naresh Shanmugam, Director of Women and Child Health and Senior Consultant in Paediatric Gastroenterology & Hepatology, highlighted the transformative impact on the young patient’s life. “Despite stringent dietary restrictions and medications, the child experienced frequent hospitalizations. Liver transplantation was the only curative route. By performing an auxiliary transplant robotically, we cut the hospital stay in half. The child can now enjoy a normal, unrestricted protein diet. Importantly, preserving part of the native liver keeps the door open for future gene therapies.”
Redefining the Possibilities in Robotic and Paediatric Transplants
This landmark achievement at Rela Hospital signifies a major leap in both robotic and pediatric surgery. By merging advanced technology with complex surgical expertise, the team has not only improved outcomes for young patients but also paved the way for future innovations in treating metabolic liver diseases through minimally invasive methods.