HMC team performs complex reconstructive surgery on Gaza patient

The Plastic Surgery Department at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has achieved a new milestone by successfully performing the first of its procedure using microsurgical reconstructive techniques for flap-based perforating arteries.The surgery was performed on a patient from Gaza who had been severely debilitated by the significant loss of back tissue, which had left her unable to sit or move. This procedure brought relief after prolonged suffering due to tissue shortage.Dr Attallah Hamada Hamouda, consultant and director of the Plastic Surgery Department at HMC, said: "This successful surgery is the result of the surgical expertise in the team as well as the adoption of international standards while using advanced medical techniques. The plastic surgery department is distinguished by its multiple and continuous surgical innovations that significantly contribute to improving the quality of healthcare provided to all patients.”Dr Salim Noureddin al-Laham, associate consultant at HMC’s Plastic Surgery Department and leader of the surgical team who performed the surgery stated: "Considering the affected area and the need to use a number of flap-based perforating arteries in an innovative and advanced method, the reconstruction was successful without causing any damage to other tissue.”Dr al-Laham further explained that after reconstructive surgery and physiotherapy, the patient regained her normal life and was able to walk and sit without experiencing any pain. The patient originally arrived at HMC in a deteriorated health condition suffering from a severe shortage of back tissue, burns around the thigh area and fungal sepsis caused by lack of treatment for her wounds over a long period of time. Prior to the operation, the patient had a surgical debridement to remove damaged tissue and was placed on a high protein diet.Al-Laham said: "HMC’s advanced and world class capacity played a significant role in facilitating such a surgery. The Plastic Surgery Department has significantly developed and achieved major steps towards treating complicated cases, with most recently the "Qatar Flap”, a surgical innovation in microsurgical reconstructive hand surgery.Dr Sequina al-Saigel, plastic surgery specialist at HMC who also took part in the surgery, added: "We are proud to contribute to this important surgery which enables patients from Gaza to regain their functional abilities. The wounds of many Gaza patients are extremely complicated and require us to adapt our surgical methods.”