King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah has achieved a new medical milestone, adding to the record of accomplishments of university hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A specialized medical team successfully ended the suffering of a 13-year-old girl who was suffering from advanced kidney failure. This was accomplished through a successful kidney transplant using a kidney donated by her mother, marking the official launch of the pediatric kidney transplant program at the university hospital.
Advanced medical context and superior care
This achievement comes at a time when the Kingdom's healthcare sector is witnessing remarkable progress in organ transplantation and microsurgery, as national medical institutions strive to localize advanced treatment technologies to reduce the need for treatment abroad. The child underwent a rigorous and intensive follow-up program at the Center of Excellence for Pediatric Nephrology after being diagnosed with a rare condition characterized by microcephaly (abnormally small kidneys) from the embryonic stage. Over time, this led to a decline in her vital functions, necessitating specialized surgical intervention to save her life.
Endoscopic techniques: Medical precision and cosmetic results
The medical team used the latest global surgical techniques, employing laparoscopy to remove the kidney from the donor mother. This procedure was distinguished by its precision, as the kidney was extracted through a pre-operative incision in the abdomen. This technique aimed to minimize post-operative pain and achieve the best possible cosmetic results for the mother, reflecting a commitment to the quality of life of both the donor and the recipient. The kidney transplant was a complete success for the child, without any complications, bringing smiles back to the faces of both the child and her mother after a long treatment journey.
Strategic planning and national cadres
This achievement is significant because it is the result of intensive strategic planning that spanned three years of continuous preparation and development. This involved creating the program and mobilizing the efforts of multiple disciplines to ensure maximum readiness. The university hospital is unique in possessing a comprehensive system of qualified national staff who managed the medical process seamlessly, implementing the latest international protocols for tissue matching and comprehensive pre-operative health assessments.
A fully integrated medical team is behind the achievement
The medical team that achieved this feat comprised a select group of consultants, including Professor Dr. Jamila Qari, Professor Dr. Osama Safdar, Dr. Abdulaziz Bahassan, and Professor Wafia Al-Abbasi from the Pediatric Nephrology Department, supported by the Adult Nephrology team consisting of Dr. Abdullah Qashqari and Dr. Suhail Khoja. Surgically, Professor Dr. Murad Al-Jafri, Dr. Abrar Nawawi, and Dr. Abdulrahman Sabban participated, with anesthesia administered by Dr. Ibrahim Abu Shousha and Dr. Ayman Attal.
The system also included a team for infectious and immunological diseases, including Dr. Faten Basnawi, Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Salmi, Dr. Nada Al-Ahmadi, Dr. Siddiq Habibullah, and Dr. Hana Taha, supported by intensive care, radiology, medication, and psychological support teams, which confirms the ability of Saudi competencies to deal with the most complex cases.
