For the first time in the private healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia, Mouwasat Hospital Khobar successfully performed a total gastrectomy with lymph node removal using robotic surgery. The procedure treated a tumor in the upper part of the stomach and represents a medical achievement considered the first of its kind in the Kingdom’s private sector.
The operation was performed under the supervision of Dr. Sami Al-Asiri, Consultant in Robotic Surgery and Gastrointestinal Oncology, as part of an integrated treatment plan for a patient in his sixties. The plan began with the necessary examinations and assessments, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. After completing the treatment plan, the patient underwent total gastrectomy with lymph node removal and reconstruction connecting the esophagus to the small intestine.
The surgical team performed the procedure using robotic surgery without the need to open the abdomen or chest, through small incisions. This helped reduce pain and accelerate recovery while providing a high level of precision during complete removal of the tumor and lymph nodes.
By the grace of God, the operation was successful, and the medical team was able to completely remove the tumor along with the lymph nodes. The patient experienced a rapid recovery and passed through the postoperative period in stable condition.
Total gastrectomy procedures are complex and highly precise, particularly when associated with tumors and the need for lymph node removal. However, the use of robotic surgery enabled the medical team to manage the case with high precision while benefiting from the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.
This achievement reflects, by the grace of God first, the specialized medical expertise, modern technologies, and integration across the different stages of cancer treatment available at Mouwasat Hospital Khobar, enabling the hospital to provide advanced surgical solutions for complex cases.