150 endoscopic spine surgeries at King Abdullah Medical City
The spine surgery team at King Abdullah Medical City, a member of the Makkah Health Cluster, has achieved a significant medical milestone, adding to the Kingdom's record of healthcare successes, by performing 150 successful spine surgeries using advanced endoscopic surgical techniques. This achievement reflects a radical and modern transformation in the delivery of specialized surgical services in the region.
A qualitative shift in microsurgery
This achievement represents a significant leap forward in spinal surgery, as endoscopic techniques constitute a tremendous advancement compared to traditional open surgery. This technique is characterized by its minimally invasive nature, which reduces damage to the tissues and muscles surrounding the spine and significantly minimizes blood loss during procedures—a modern global standard that leading medical centers strive to implement.
The medical city explained that this figure (150 surgeries) is not merely a statistic, but rather the result of adopting a new treatment philosophy aimed at transforming complex surgeries into a "same-day surgery" model. This model allows the patient to leave the hospital on the same day as the operation, which positively impacts their psychological state and accelerates their return to normal life.
Keeping pace with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This advanced medical approach aligns directly with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the programs under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to increase the efficiency of healthcare spending and improve the quality of services provided to beneficiaries. By reducing the length of hospital stays, beds are freed up for other emergency and critical cases, thus increasing the operational efficiency of medical facilities and reducing waiting lists.
The adoption of endoscopic same-day spine surgery came as a result of integrated efforts between multidisciplinary teams, which completely re-engineered the patient care pathway, from initial assessment and hospital admission to surgical procedure and follow-up.
Expert opinions and medical findings
Commenting on this achievement, Dr. Mohamed Ghazi Abdo, Consultant Spine Surgeon and Supervisor of Endoscopic Surgeries, affirmed that what has been achieved represents a milestone in the journey of the Medical City, stressing that innovation lies in managing the treatment journey efficiently, placing the patient at the heart of the concern, and not just in possessing the technology.
For his part, Dr. Ayman Tayeb, a consultant in spinal surgery, pointed out that converting complex operations into one-day surgeries has resulted in high levels of patient satisfaction, thanks to the ease of the recovery process compared to the long recovery periods that traditional surgeries previously required.
As Dr. Muath, Associate Consultant in Spinal Surgery, explained, the medical team is currently working on developing modern post-operative follow-up mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of positive results. This achievement underscores King Abdullah Medical City's position as a leading national center of expertise and a model to be emulated in implementing innovative solutions that serve the residents of Makkah and its visitors.
