A delicate 13-hour surgery saves a patient from a recurrent tumor in Mecca

King Abdullah Medical City recorded a new medical achievement that adds to the record of successes of the health sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a specialized medical team was able to save the life of a young Yemeni man in his thirties, after performing a delicate and complex surgical intervention that lasted for 13 continuous hours to remove a recurrent tumor in the colon and rectum.

Case details and accurate diagnosis

The patient arrived at the medical city in critical condition due to a recurrent rectal tumor, following a previous colon tumor resection at another medical facility. Upon arrival, the urgent care pathway, a cornerstone of the modern Saudi healthcare model, was activated to ensure rapid intervention.

The patient underwent comprehensive examinations under the supervision of consultant surgical oncologist Dr. Ehab Al-Husseini, and the gastrointestinal oncology board discussed the case at length. Given the seriousness of the situation and the tumor's spread to the ureters, bladder, and sacrum, the medical team approved an intensive treatment plan that began with chemotherapy and radiotherapy to shrink and control the tumor before surgical intervention.

Advanced techniques and exceptional surgery

The significance of this procedure lies in the use of advanced medical techniques available only at major referral medical centers. The surgical plan included:

• Excision of the rectum and surrounding damaged tissues, including parts connected to the ureters and bladder.
• Removing the tumor extending to the sacrum with extreme precision.
• The application of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) , a precise technique aimed at eliminating any remaining cancer cells at the site of the tumor directly.
• The use of intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)

The operation was a complete success thanks to God and then to the efforts of the surgical team led by Dr. Ehab Al-Husseini, with the participation of Dr. Muhammad Zuhdi, Dr. Turki, and Dr. Osama Al-Maliki, in addition to the anesthesia and nursing team, and the supervision of Dr. Muhammad Al-Maghribi on radiation therapy.

Medical leadership and health transformation goals

This achievement reflects the significant progress witnessed in the Kingdom's healthcare sector, with King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah serving as a leading medical center for treating complex and challenging cases and tumors. This success aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Health Transformation Program, which aims to facilitate access to healthcare services and enhance their quality and efficiency.

This event also highlights the Kingdom’s humanitarian and medical role in providing advanced healthcare to residents and visitors, harnessing the latest global technologies and qualified human resources to save lives and improve the quality of life for patients, thus enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a leading destination in the field of medical tourism and specialized medical services in the region.