SS SPARSH Hospital, Mysore Road, Bangalore – India
About Dr Rehan Saif
Dr. Rehan Saif is a highly distinguished leading multi-organ transplant surgeon currently practising in the UAE. With over 15 years of surgical experience, including 12 years of dedicated higher surgical training in the United Kingdom, Dr. Saif is an expert in complex abdominal transplants and hepatobiliary sciences. Dr. Saif is one of the few surgeons globally to hold dual certifications—a UK CCT and the European Board Certification (FEBS) in HPB Surgery. His clinical expertise encompasses the full spectrum of liver, kidney, and pancreas transplantation for both living and deceased donors. He has been involved in major transplant programmes globally, participating in approximately 400 liver, 300 kidney, and 50 pancreas transplants. Renowned as a top robotic HPB surgeon, he is instrumental in establishing dedicated transplant units and pioneering minimally invasive techniques for complex liver and biliary cancers.
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees:
- MBBS: J.J.M. Medical College, India.
- MS (General Surgery): J.J.M. Medical College, India.
- CCT (UK): Certificate of Completion of Training in General Surgery (Transplant/HPB).
- FRCS: Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, UK.
- Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Robotic HPB Surgery: University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC), USA.
- Fellowship in Liver Surgery & Living Donor Liver Transplantation: RCSEd Travelling Fellowship, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.
- Post-CCT Fellowship: Institute of Transplantation, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
- FEBS: Fellow of the European Board of Surgery (HPB Surgery).
- UEMS: Union of European Medical Specialists Certification.
- HESPERIS Diploma: European Society for Organ Transplantation.
- MRCS: Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, UK.
Areas of Expertise
Major Cancer Types Treated:
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer)
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer)
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Metastatic Liver Tumours
- Multi-Organ Transplantation: Liver, Kidney, and Pancreas (Living & Deceased Donor).
- Robotic & Laparoscopic HPB Surgery.
- Surgery for Portal Hypertension.
- Complex Liver Resections.
- Management of Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis.
- Robotic Whipple’s Procedure.
- Living Donor Liver Transplant.
- ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplant.
- Minimally Invasive Liver Resections.
- Pancreas Transplantation.
List of Disease and Treatment for which Dr Rehan Saif can be consulted
Professional Experience
Current & Past Hospital Affiliations
Current Affiliation:
- Consultant & Clinical Lead, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi.
- Consultant, King’s College Hospital London, Dubai (Dubai Hills, Marina, Jumeirah clinics).
Past Affiliations:
- Dr. Saif has extensive experience working in high-volume transplant centres in the United Kingdom, specifically at the Institute of Transplantation, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.
- He has also practised in India, where he successfully led multi-organ transplant programmes and performed robotic surgeries before moving to the UAE.
Academic & Research Roles
- Dr. Saif is actively involved in clinical research focusing on hepatocellular carcinoma, biliary cancers, and pancreatic diseases. He serves as a mentor for surgical trainees and has played a pivotal role in setting up transplant curriculums in his associated institutions.
Key Achievements & Contributions
- Instrumental in establishing the HPB and Transplant Unit in Abu Dhabi.
- Successfully participated in over 750 organ transplants (Liver, Kidney, Pancreas) throughout his career.
- Pioneered the use of Robotic Surgery for complex liver and pancreatic cases in his previous engagements in India and currently in the UAE.
- Awarded the prestigious RCSEd Travelling Fellowship to Taiwan for advanced training in living donor liver transplantation.
Awards & Recognitions
National & International Awards:
- European Society for Organ Transplantation Diploma (HESPERIS).
- RCSEd Travelling Fellowship Award (Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh).
- Recognition for establishing transplant protocols in emerging medical hubs.
Research & Publications
- Published Papers in Medical Journals:
Dr. Rehan Saif has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed journals. His research primarily focuses on outcomes in transplantation and the management of HPB malignancies. Dr. Saif has published various papers on topics such as 'Multimodality management of HCC' and 'Outcomes in Robotic HPB Surgery'.
Ongoing Clinical Trials Participation:
- Active participant in registries tracking the outcomes of robotic versus open pancreatic surgeries.
- Researching protocols for expanding the donor pool in living donor liver transplantation.
Patient Success Stories & Testimonials
- Successful Multi-Organ Transplant
Patients requiring simultaneous kidney and liver transplants present significant surgical challenges. Dr. Saif successfully managed such a high-risk case for a middle-aged patient suffering from genetic metabolic disease. Post-surgery, the patient regained full function of both organs, praising Dr. Saif's "calm expertise and British standard of care." - Robotic Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer
A patient diagnosed with early-stage pancreatic cancer underwent a Robotic Whipple procedure performed by Dr. Saif. The minimally invasive approach allowed the patient to be discharged within five days with minimal scarring. The patient noted, "Dr. Rehan gave me confidence with his detailed explanation of the robotic technology. I felt I was in safe hands." - Life-Saving Living Donor Liver Transplant
Families involved in living donor transplants often face immense anxiety. Dr. Saif performed a liver transplant where a son donated to his father. Both recovered swiftly without complications. The family testimonial reads: "We were treated with such dignity and care. Dr. Rehan is not just a skilled surgeon but a compassionate human being."
Treatment Approach & Philosophy
- Patient-Centred Care:
Dr. Saif believes in a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach. Having trained in the UK’s NHS system, he adheres to rigorous evidence-based protocols, ensuring that every transplant or cancer surgery decision is made by a team of experts (Tumour Board) to guarantee the best outcome for the patient. - Technology & Innovation:
Dr. Saif is a strong proponent of Minimally Invasive Surgery. He utilises the latest Robotic surgical systems (Da Vinci) for HPB surgeries, which translates to less pain, lower infection rates, and faster recovery for his patients. He combines this technology with his deep experience in complex open surgeries for transplants.
Treatment Costs
Treatment costs vary significantly based on the hospital location (UAE vs India) and the specific requirements of the case. Below are estimated costs for procedures within the region's premium medical facilities.
Treatment / Procedure | Cost Estimate (INR) | Cost Estimate (USD) |
Liver Transplantation (Living Donor) | ₹22,00,000 - ₹35,00,000 | $26,000 - $42,000 |
Kidney Transplantation | ₹10,00,000 - ₹15,00,000 | $12,000 - $18,000 |
Robotic Whipple’s Procedure | ₹6,00,000 - ₹9,00,000 | $7,200 - $11,000 |
Pancreas Transplantation | ₹18,00,000 - ₹25,00,000 | $21,500 - $30,000 |
Complex Liver Resection | ₹5,00,000 - ₹7,50,000 | $6,000 - $9,000 |
Note: Costs in the UAE may be higher than the estimates above, which are indicative of the region's competitive medical tourism rates. For appointment booking and to get a personalised cost estimate, you can connect with the Cancer Rounds team.
International Patient Assistance
- Language Support:
Dr. Saif is fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, Kannada, and Telugu. Additionally, the Cancer Rounds team provides interpretation services for other languages to assist international patients. - Visa & Travel Assistance:
Cancer Rounds assists patients with Medical Visas for the UAE or India (depending on the chosen facility), airport transfers, and accommodation arrangements near the hospital. - Pre-treatment Virtual Consultations:
International patients can schedule a video consultation with Dr. Rehan Saif via Cancer Rounds to discuss medical records and treatment feasibility before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Rehan Saif specialises in Abdominal Multi-Organ Transplantation (Liver, Kidney, Pancreas) and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) surgery. He is a leading transplant surgeon with expertise in robotic and laparoscopic techniques.
Yes, Dr. Saif spent over 12 years in the United Kingdom gaining higher surgical specialist training. He holds a CCT (UK) and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS), ensuring he follows British standards of care.
Yes, Dr. Saif is fellowship-trained in Minimally Invasive Robotic HPB Surgery from UIC, Chicago. He performs robotic surgeries for liver, pancreatic, and biliary cancers, offering patients faster recovery times.
He performs Liver, Kidney, and Pancreas transplants. He is experienced in both living donor and deceased (cadaveric) donor transplant procedures.
Dr. Saif is currently associated with Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi and King’s College Hospital London, Dubai.
Yes, during his extensive career and training in high-volume centres, Dr. Saif has gained experience in managing complex transplant and HPB cases, including those in younger demographics requiring specialised care.
Throughout his career in the UK, India, and UAE, Dr. Saif has been involved in programmes covering approximately 400 liver transplants, 300 kidney transplants, and 50 pancreas transplants.
Absolutely. Dr. Saif welcomes international patients. You can book an appointment and arrange travel logistics through the Cancer Rounds team.
The European Society for Organ Transplantation Diploma (HESPERIS) signifies that Dr. Saif has met rigorous European standards in organ transplantation knowledge and practice, marking him as a top-tier specialist.
Yes, Dr. Saif is an expert in treating pancreato-biliary cancers. He performs complex surgeries like the Whipple procedure, often utilizing robotic assistance for better precision.
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