Kurdish doctor breaks new ground with first robotic kidney transplant in North Louisiana
Dr. Gazi B. Zibari conducted the groundbreaking operation at Willis-Knighton North Medical Center in Shreveport, utilizing the state-of-the-art Da Vinci XI Robotic Surgical System.
Nov. 16, 2024
ERBIL (Kurdistan24)—Dr. Gazi B. Zibari, a distinguished transplant surgeon from the Kurdistan Region who lives in the US, has made history by performing North Louisiana’s first robotic-assisted living donor kidney transplant.
The groundbreaking operation was conducted at Willis-Knighton North Medical Center in Shreveport, utilizing the state-of-the-art Da Vinci XI Robotic Surgical System.
The robotic-assisted transplant represents a significant advancement over traditional methods, which typically involve open surgery or laparoscopic techniques. By using robotic technology, surgeons can make smaller incisions and achieve greater precision.
The Da Vinci XI Robotic Surgical System enables surgeons to control instruments remotely from a computer console, delivering benefits such as reduced pain, faster recovery, and a lower risk of wound complications.
“Robotic surgery expands the pool of transplant candidates,” Dr. Zibari explained. “Patients who are overweight or obese, who may have previously been denied transplants due to higher risks of complications, now have a second chance at life-saving procedures.”
Dr. Zibari emphasized Willis-Knighton’s leadership in adopting minimally invasive techniques. “This advancement will significantly enhance the quality of care for our renal transplant patients,” he stated.
Dr. Zibari’s impressive career journey reflects his deep connection to his Kurdish heritage and his exceptional contributions to medicine.
A native of the Kurdistan Region, he began his academic path at David Lipscomb College in Nashville, Tennessee, graduating in 1980. He then earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in 1985.
Following medical school, Dr. Zibari completed a rigorous six-year residency in general surgery at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, where he graduated as chief resident in 1991.
He then pursued a prestigious fellowship in transplantation at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, finishing in 1993. Shortly thereafter, he returned to Shreveport to join the faculty at LSU’s Department of Surgery and serve as a transplant surgeon at Willis-Knighton Regional Transplant Center.
Dr. Gazi Zibari’s pioneering work in robotic transplant surgery not only exemplifies his commitment to medical excellence but also highlights his enduring connection to his Kurdish roots. His achievements continue to inspire and bring pride to the global Kurdish community.
