In a groundbreaking achievement for Lebanon and the region, the first advanced robotic liver surgery was successfully performed at Hopital Francais du Levant, in collaboration with IRCAD Liban, the only internationally accredited center in the Middle East specialized in robotic surgical education.
This medical milestone was announced during a well-attended press conference, which brought together prominent medical, academic, and public figures, including Minister of Public Health H.E. Dr. Rakan Nassereddine, IRCAD Liban President Professor Antoine Maalouf, President of the Lebanese Order of Physicians in Beirut Dr. Elias Chlela, and President of the Syndicate of Hospitals Dr. Pierre Yared. Also in attendance were deans of medical schools, university directors, representatives of health syndicates, medical students, and a wide range of physicians and surgeons.
In his address, Professor Antoine Maalouf emphasized that this milestone embodies “IRCAD Liban’s vision to provide world-class surgical education in line with the latest international innovations, led by globally accredited physicians.” He added: “IRCAD Liban is not merely a training center—it is a strategic platform that restores Lebanon’s historical role as a regional medical hub – the Hospital of the East, and offers physicians both in Lebanon and abroad access to global expertise without leaving the region.”
The conference featured documentary footage of recent robotic surgeries and an in-depth medical explanation of the technique, which offers patients unparalleled precision, minimally invasive procedures, and faster recovery times. The launch was followed by two days of lectures and live robotic surgeries broadcast in the hospital’s main hall, with broad participation from doctors and medical students across Lebanon.
A key highlight of the event was the participation of world-renowned Lebanese surgeon Dr. Ahmad Abou Abbass, Director of Liver and Biliary Surgery in California, who led simulation sessions and training workshops as part of the two-day scientific program. His involvement reflects IRCAD Liban’s commitment to connecting Lebanon with global surgical advancements.
IRCAD Liban, the regional branch of the renowned French center, was established to advance surgical education in Lebanon and the Middle East through internationally recognized training programs. This comes at a time when many other centers in the region lack accreditation or standardized academic criteria.
This achievement reaffirms Lebanon’s ability to embrace cutting-edge medical technologies and enhances its position as a leading hub for healthcare and surgical education in the region, despite ongoing challenges.