Lahore: Pakistan’s first-ever robotic Whipple procedure has been successfully performed at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre (PKLI&RC), marking a major breakthrough in the country’s capacity to offer highly complex cancer and liver surgeries using advanced robotic technology, officials said on Sunday.
Dean PKLI&RC Dr Faisal Saud Dar told vitalsnews.com that the landmark procedure, along with Pakistan’s first robotic right hemi-hepatectomy, reflects a major step forward in the evolution of minimally invasive surgery in the country.
He said PKLI has now completed 500 robotic surgeries across multiple specialties, demonstrating the growing maturity of robotic surgical services in Pakistan.
The Whipple procedure, medically known as pancreaticoduodenectomy, is one of the most complex abdominal operations and is commonly performed to treat cancers of the pancreas, bile duct and the head of the pancreas.
The surgery involves removing the head of the pancreas along with parts of the small intestine, bile duct and sometimes part of the stomach, followed by reconstruction of the digestive tract. Traditionally performed through large open incisions, the procedure is associated with significant risks, prolonged hospital stays and lengthy recovery.
By contrast, the robotic approach allows surgeons to operate through small keyhole incisions using robotic arms controlled from a console. This technology provides high-definition, three-dimensional magnified views and greater precision in delicate movements.
“Robotic systems allow us to operate with enhanced dexterity in confined spaces, which is particularly important in pancreatic and liver surgery,” Dr Faisal Saud Dar said. “For patients, this can mean less blood loss, lower risk of complications and faster recovery.”
PKLI also successfully performed a robotic right hemi-hepatectomy, a complex liver operation involving removal of the right side of the liver, typically carried out for liver tumors or advanced liver disease.
The liver is a highly vascular organ, making such procedures technically demanding and prone to bleeding. Performing this operation robotically reflects the institute’s growing expertise in hepatobiliary surgery, Dr Dar said.
He added that PKLI&RC has positioned itself as one of Pakistan’s leading centres for human organ and tissue transplantation, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, urology, gynaecology and other advanced minimally invasive procedures. “These milestones show that complex, high-risk surgeries that once required patients to travel abroad can now be safely performed within Pakistan,” he said.
Dr Dar also acknowledged the consistent support of the Government of Punjab in strengthening PKLI’s infrastructure, technology and service delivery.
He said sustained public-sector backing has been critical in enabling the institute to invest in advanced robotic systems, specialised training and patient care facilities.
The Punjab government, he added, is now considering adopting PKLI’s governance and management model for upcoming healthcare institutions in the province to improve transparency, efficiency and quality of care.
The breakthroughs coincided with the PKLI International Symposium 2026 held in Lahore on February 13 and 14, which attracted more than 3,000 national and international delegates. More than 800 participants attended pre-conference hands-on workshops at PKLI, receiving practical training in advanced surgical techniques and robotic systems.
The symposium featured 45 international faculty members from the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Europe, Turkey and the Middle East, along with experts associated with the World Health Organization, and over 100 senior Pakistani faculty members. Their participation helped enrich scientific sessions and provided opportunities for local clinicians to engage with global leaders in their fields.
Dr Dar said the large turnout of young doctors and nurses was one of the most encouraging aspects of the event. “Their enthusiasm, curiosity and active participation were remarkable. International faculty appreciated the confidence and potential of our young professionals, which reflects a bright future for healthcare in Pakistan,” he said.
Health professionals say the growing use of robotic surgery could help improve outcomes in complex cancers and liver disease while reducing the financial and emotional burden on families who previously sought treatment abroad.
Dr Faisal Saud Dar said PKLI plans to further expand robotic surgery training, research and international collaboration to build sustainable centres of excellence in Pakistan.
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