Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City Advances Robotic Surgery Care Through Treatment of Rare and Complex Vascular Condition

Abu Dhabi, UAE, August 2026: Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City SSMC, a flagship hospital in the UAE for serious and complex care and a subsidiary of PureHealth, the largest healthcare group in the Middle East, has recently utilised robotic-assisted surgery to treat a patient suffering from Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS), a rare vascular condition that had remained undiagnosed.

The 32-year-old patient presented to SSMC with severe upper abdominal pain, reflux, nausea, food intolerance and significant weight loss exceeding 40 kilograms. Having undergone multiple consultations and investigations elsewhere without a definitive diagnosis, the patient was referred to SSMC, where specialists identified the underlying cause through a coordinated multidisciplinary assessment.

Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome is a rare condition in which a fibrous band near the diaphragm compresses the celiac artery and surrounding nerves, causing symptoms that can include severe pain after eating, nausea, vomiting, reflux and substantial weight loss. Due to the overlap of symptoms with other gastrointestinal disorders, diagnosis can often be challenging.

The case brought together specialists from Gastroenterology, Vascular Surgery, Radiology and Robotic Surgery, reflecting SSMC’s multidisciplinary approach to managing complex and often difficult-to-diagnose conditions. Following detailed review of cross-sectional imaging and dynamic vascular duplex assessment, the team confirmed significant compression of the celiac artery consistent with MALS. The case was subsequently reviewed through a multidisciplinary framework to exclude alternative gastrointestinal causes and determine the most appropriate treatment pathway.

Commenting on the case, Dr. Mohamed Baguneid, Chair of the Vascular Surgery Division at SSMC, said: “Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome is a rare condition that can often go undiagnosed because its symptoms overlap with a number of more common gastrointestinal disorders. Cases like this highlight the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, advanced diagnostic capabilities and specialist expertise in identifying the root cause of complex presentations. Bringing together specialists from multiple disciplines allowed us to reach a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan tailored to the patient’s needs.”

Following comprehensive evaluation, the patient underwent robotic-assisted release of the median arcuate ligament, performed by SSMC’s robotic surgery team led by Dr. Salem Al Harthi. The robotic approach enabled precise dissection around the compressed artery and surrounding nerve fibres while minimising surgical trauma. The procedure was completed with minimal blood loss and no complications.

At follow-up, the patient reported being pain-free, tolerating a normal diet and experiencing significant improvement in symptoms, including reflux, nausea and excessive salivation.

Dr. Salem Al Harthi, Consultant Robotic Surgeon and Chair of the Surgery Department at SSMC, said: “Robotic-assisted surgery enables us to manage highly complex cases with exceptional precision that is particularly crucial when operating around critical vascular and nerve structures. In this case, the technology enabled a minimally invasive approach while supporting careful dissection and preservation of surrounding anatomy. Combined with multidisciplinary planning, it allowed us to deliver a highly tailored treatment approach for the patient.”

The case highlights SSMC’s ability to integrate multidisciplinary expertise with robotic-assisted surgery to manage rare and complex conditions. It also reflects the continued growth of the hospital’s robotic surgery programme, enabling the treatment of complex and high-acuity conditions across multiple specialties. This further strengthens SSMC’s position as a leading centre for robotic surgery and precision-led healthcare in the region.