Kidney transplant via laparoscopy in Jeddah: Ending a child's suffering thanks to her mother's donation
In a remarkable medical achievement reflecting the advancement of the healthcare sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz University has set a new medical precedent among university hospitals. A specialized Saudi medical team successfully ended the suffering of a 13-year-old girl who was experiencing advanced kidney failure. The operation, which involved a kidney transplant donated by her mother using advanced laparoscopic techniques, was a complete success. This achievement marks the official launch of the pediatric kidney transplant program at the university hospital.
Case details and surgical intervention
The child underwent a close monitoring program at the Center of Excellence for Pediatric Kidney Care, after being diagnosed with a rare congenital condition in which the kidneys were small in size since the embryonic stage, which over time led to a severe deterioration in the vital functions of the kidneys, which necessitated urgent surgical intervention to save her life and improve its quality.
The medical team employed the latest global surgical techniques in this procedure, removing the kidney from the donor mother using laparoscopic surgery. This step was characterized by high technical precision, as the surgeons utilized a pre-existing incision in the mother's abdomen to perform the operation. This was done to minimize post-operative pain and achieve the best possible cosmetic results for the donor, reflecting the meticulous attention to the medical and psychological needs of the patients.
The importance of achievement and the development of healthcare
This event is not merely a successful surgical procedure, but rather the culmination of three years of intensive strategic planning and preparation within the university hospital. This success reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading regional center for organ transplantation, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030 to develop the healthcare sector and localize specialized medical services.
The medical teams implemented the latest and most rigorous international protocols for tissue matching and comprehensive pre-operative health assessments, ensuring the continued function of the transplanted kidney in the child's body and the complete safety of the donor mother. The operation was a complete success without any complications, bringing smiles back to the faces of the child and her mother after a long treatment journey.
National talents are managing the scene
The university hospital stands out for its integrated system of qualified national staff who managed this medical landscape with perfect harmony, making it a leading center capable of handling even the most complex cases. A select group of consultants and specialists contributed to this achievement
- Pediatric Nephrology Team: Prof. Dr. Jamila Qari, Prof. Dr. Osama Safdar, Dr. Abdulaziz Bahassan, Ms. Wafia Al-Abbasi.
- Adult Kidney Team (Support): Dr. Abdullah Kashgari, Dr. Suhail Khoja.
- Surgical team: Prof. Dr. Murad Al-Jafri, Dr. Abrar Nawawi, Dr. Abdulrahman Sabban.
- Anesthesia team: Dr. Ibrahim Abu Shousha, Dr. Ayman Attal.
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity: Dr. Faten Basnawi, Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Salmi, Dr. Nada Al-Ahmadi, Dr. Siddiq Habibullah, Dr. Hana Taha.
The care system was also completed with the participation of the intensive care teams led by Dr. Muhammad Ghazi and Dr. Fidaa Maghrabi, the radiology team Dr. Rayan Ahed, the clinical pharmacy team, in addition to specialized psychological support to ensure the comprehensive rehabilitation of the child and her family.
