Tawam Hospital performs first ever totally laparoscopic Whipple operation in the region for pancreatic cancer patients

Tawam Hospital is part of the SEHA Health System owned and run by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company" SEHA", has successfully performed the first ever absolutely laparoscopic Whipple procedure on a pancreatic cancer patient over the past two weeks.

The procedure, likewise understood as pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a complex surgery however has a potential to extend life and possibly treat a pancreatic cancer patient. Patients who go through the Whipple might have a five-year survival rate of up to 25 %.

The patients, a 79-year old male existed independently to Tawam Hospital with pancreatic tumours. Upon deliberation from the oncological medical team, it was considered that a Whipple operation was in order to save the patient's lives. The team did the procedure totally laparascopically versus the open type, a first medical feat in the UAE and possibly the Gulf done two times in successive weeks.

Traditionally, the procedure is done as an open surgical treatment but has disadvantages to clients. Nevertheless, a laparoscopic treatment offers less blood loss, pain and injury to the abdominal wall as well as less chances of developing hernia of the abdominal wall. There is also much faster recovery for the clients which indicates less time spent on ICU or medical facility. The goal of Tawam's cosmetic surgeons for doing the Whipple procedure is for both patients to be eventually cancer free.

The group, headed by Dr. Guido Mannaerts, Chair Department, Dr. Ali Al Dameh as head of the General, Thoracic and vascular Surgery Division, Dr Omar Bekdache, General Surgery Specialist at Tawam Hospital performed the 6.5-hour surgery for the client. The patient recuperated well.

"At Tawam Hospital, through the assistance of SEHA, we will do everything we can to save our clients' lives. A procedure may be thought about radical or non-traditional but if that's exactly what it takes to improve our patients' conditions, then we will do it. Thanks to the group mix of very seasoned oncological cosmetic surgeons who also have the ability to perform modern laparoscopic surgeries at an extremely high level, we handled to make a distinction to our client's life," stated Dr. Mannaerts.

For his part, Patient stated: "I am really grateful for the surgical team for taking this unique treatment to eliminate my tumour. At this age, I actually didn't anticipate to even belong to history and yet I made it! Thanks to all the staff of Tawam who looked after me prior to, throughout and after my operation.".

With doctor proficient at innovative medical procedures and techniques, Tawam Hospital offers detailed medical services and is committed to advancing treatment throughout all areas treatment. Our physicians are some of the very best in the region and are updated in the current and evidence-based treatment and practices in managing cancer cases.

Tawam Hospital becomes part of the SEHA Health System owned and run by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.