Hospital Provides Life-Saving Lung Operation for Abu Dhabi Nurse

Region’s top advanced and Critical Care Hospital performs emergency pneumonectomy to treat drug-resistant bacterial infection

Doctors at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi raced to provide life-saving critical care to an expatriate woman as it became clear it was the only facility with the multidisciplinary expertise required to save her. 

Following a diagnosis of a multi-drug resistant bacterial infection, the young nurse found herself running out of options and faced a multitude of life-threatening complications that required a range of advanced surgeries and support services. 

The patient was transferred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi after developing respiratory failure. Her trachea had narrowed to barely three millimeters despite the presence of a stent to open the airway. 

Upon her arrival at the hospital, physicians at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi determined that she was in urgent need of surgery to re-open her airways and remove one of her lungs that had been ravaged by a drug-resistant bacterial infection, which had caused her complications. 

“The patient underwent a number of complex procedures with us at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, including multiple bronchoscopies performed by different members of the Interventional Pulmonary team including Dr. Mateen Uzbeck and Dr. Zaid Zoumot,” said Dr. Ali Wahla, a physician with the Respiratory & Critical Care Institute. 

“When she arrived at the hospital, she was fighting for her life and we had to act fast to save her. This case not only required highly skilled physicians, but anesthesiologists specializing in airway cases and intensive care physicians to tend to her before and after treatment. We were fortunate to have experienced anesthesiologists like Dr. Anthony Cartwright, Dr. John Doyle and Dr. Antonio Ramirez working with us.” 

“The patient initially had a narrowing in her trachea which we opened using rigid bronchoscopy. Following the procedure, she was referred back to us for a pneumonectomy to remove one of her lungs. Before we could do that however, we needed to remove a stent that had been placed in her airway that was causing a worsening of her respiratory symptoms,” explained Dr. Wahla.

Surgeons at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, under Dr. Redha Souilamas performed a pneumonectomy, an operation to remove the lung, to eliminate and prevent the spread of the infection. Pneumonectomies are highly complex procedures and require both skilled surgeons and experienced support staff to care for the patient in the days and weeks following the operation. Once recovered, patients can continue to lead a full life with only one lung.

After undergoing surgery and follow-up treatment at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the patient has recovered well and has even been able to return to work. “She’s doing exceptionally well; when she came to us, she was in a critical condition and to see her return to her life and work is wonderful,” said Dr. Wahla.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s multidisciplinary model of care was a key part of the treatment the patient received at the hospital. 

“I’m extremely proud of the role our hospital and staff played in saving this patient’s life. This was an especially complicated case in which several of our doctors were required to step in and provide emergency care. I’m especially proud of our nursing and support staff who enabled our physicians to operate at such a high level,” said Dr. Jeffrey Chapman, Chief of the Respiratory & Critical Care Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Respiratory & Critical Care Institute provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of lung and breathing disorders for patients suffering from a range of respiratory conditions. The Institute has introduced several cutting-edge treatments to the Middle East, including for complex conditions such as lung cancer, and chronic conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).