In a move reflecting the rapid development of healthcare services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah Medical City, a member of the Makkah Health Cluster, has achieved a significant medical milestone by performing 150 successful spinal surgeries using advanced endoscopic surgical techniques. This achievement is not merely a statistic, but a true indicator of the fundamental shift in surgical treatment methodologies within leading healthcare facilities in the Kingdom.
Strategic shift towards minimally invasive surgeries
This success comes within the framework of a global and local trend towards adopting minimally invasive surgeries as a safe and effective alternative to traditional open surgery. Endoscopic spine surgery is distinguished by its ability to minimize damage to the tissues and muscles surrounding the spine, which significantly reduces post-operative pain and the likelihood of infection—essential criteria that advanced healthcare systems strive to achieve to ensure patient safety.
The medical city explained that this achievement is the result of adopting a modern treatment philosophy aimed at transforming complex procedures into "same-day surgeries." This treatment model directly contributes to achieving the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which focuses on increasing operational efficiency, improving the patient experience, and reducing waiting times and hospital admissions.
Patient pathway engineering and spending efficiency
The city confirmed that achieving this number of successful procedures was the result of integrated work by multidisciplinary teams who completely redesigned the patient care pathway, from accurate diagnosis and rapid surgical intervention to safe same-day discharge. This approach yielded tangible operational and financial gains, most notably:
- The length of hospital stay is greatly reduced, freeing up the family for other emergencies.
- Accelerating recovery procedures and enabling patients to return to their normal lives.
- Reducing medical complications associated with prolonged hospital stays.
National talent leads medical innovation
Commenting on this achievement, Dr. Mohamed Ghazi Abdo, Consultant Spine Surgeon and Supervisor of Endoscopic Surgery, noted that this milestone represents a significant achievement for the department, emphasizing that innovation lies in managing the treatment journey efficiently, placing the patient at the heart of the care. For his part, Dr. Ayman Tayeb, Consultant Spine Surgeon, explained that converting complex procedures into same-day surgeries has positively impacted patient satisfaction and facilitated a faster recovery compared to previous traditional methods.
Dr. Muath, Associate Consultant in Spinal Surgery, also noted that the medical team is currently developing advanced post-operative follow-up mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of positive outcomes. This medical initiative underscores King Abdullah Medical City's position as a leading national center of expertise and a model to be emulated in providing specialized healthcare befitting the status of Mecca and its visitors.
