Robotic surgery enables first lung and kidney transplants in the US and Spain

Cleveland Clinic in Ohio performed the United States' first robotic lung transplant, removing a diseased lung from a 70‑year‑old patient with pulmonary fibrosis and implanting a donor lung through minimally invasive, robot‑assisted incisions. The operation was led by thoracic surgeons Dr. Gregory Jones and Dr. Kenneth McCurry and is among the few such procedures worldwide, building on the center’s prior experience with robotic organ transplants in Abu Dhabi.

In Spain, Hospital Universitario de Cruces in Barakaldo completed its first robotic live‑donor kidney transplant on July 9, 2026. A 50‑year‑old recipient received a kidney from his mother using a robot to make small incisions, improve precision, reduce postoperative pain and shorten hospital stay. Officials described the case as a milestone for Osakidetza, demonstrating the technology’s ability to treat complex surgical cases that were previously only possible with open surgery.

Both procedures highlight a growing trend toward robotic assistance in organ transplantation, promising less invasive surgeries, faster recoveries and expanded candidate eligibility across major health systems.