Patient Relations
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Breast cancer patients at JHAH who undergo mastectomy can now benefit from improved cosmetic outcomes, reduced recovery time, and less pain.
The Oncology Center of Excellence at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) has successfully completed the first minimally invasive nipple-sparing mastectomy in the Eastern Province.
Dr. Mohammed Al Duhileb, a consultant breast oncologist and oncoplastic surgeon who conducted the surgery, said the “innovative procedure” represented “a significant leap forward in breast cancer treatment” that offered significant benefits to patients.
Mastectomy, or breast removal, is one of the most common surgeries used to treat early-stage breast cancer and is typically followed by breast reconstruction. When performing a conventional nipple-sparing mastectomy, surgeons seek to preserve the patient’s nipple and surrounding skin when removing the breast tissue. This improves the cosmetic outcome of breast reconstruction.
A minimally invasive nipple-sparing mastectomy involves using an endoscope — a thin tube with a camera, light, and surgical tools at the end — to remove the patient’s breast tissue. The endoscopic technique allows for more precise removal of breast tissue while preserving the nipple and surrounding skin, helping to create a superior reconstruction. Patients also benefit from faster recovery times, reduced postoperative pain, and fewer complications compared with traditional methods.
A recent study found that minimally invasive nipple-sparing mastectomy offered several advantages over conventional nipple-sparing mastectomy, such as fewer complications, improved aesthetic outcomes, and higher patient satisfaction.
JHAH’s Oncology Center of Excellence is setting the benchmark for specialized cancer care in the Gulf. Breast cancer is a central focus of the Oncology Center of Excellence, given that cases are expected to rise significantly in the coming decades.
Dr. Akram Aljahdali, Chief of General and Pediatric Surgery at JHAH, said: “We constantly strive to introduce innovative surgical procedures and techniques that improve the lives of our patients. Minimally invasive nipple-sparing mastectomy provides exceptional cosmetic outcomes for breast cancer patient and importantly, improves their quality of life.”