Latest news with #OrganTransplantCentreofExcellence
Mid East Info
15-05-2025
- Health
- Mid East Info
Robotic Liver Transplants at KFSHRC Now Extended to Children - Middle East Business News and Information
Riyadh: When technological precision meets the compassion of medicine, healing becomes a story worth telling. This is what unfolded at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) Riyadh, where an eight-year-old child underwent a life-saving liver lobe transplant using an advanced robotic surgical system, after liver failure had exhausted his small body and deprived him of his childhood. The high-precision technology enabled the young patient to be discharged just two weeks after surgery, half the usual recovery time, allowing him to return to a normal childhood. The medical team described the outcome as the essence of their striving to achieve. The child's condition required urgent intervention, complicated by the small body size and the limited space available for surgical access. However, KFSHRC's extensive experience with robotic organ transplants in adults paved the way for adapting the technology to a paediatric case. A tailored surgical plan was developed, involving precisely repositioning the robotic instrument entry points to accommodate the child's anatomy. Professor Dieter Broering, Executive Director of the Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence and lead surgeon on the case, explained : 'Robotic surgical techniques have traditionally been limited to adults, but we succeeded in adapting them for children, offering exceptional precision and a marked reduction in complications. The transplant required redesigning the surgical approach to suit the child's small body and confined space, which we addressed by meticulously adjusting the entry sites for the robotic tools to ensure maximum safety.' The procedure was successfully performed by extracting the left lobe from a living donor and fully transplanting it into the child, using a robotic surgical system, without any direct manual intervention. This approach significantly minimized the size of surgical incisions. It accelerated the recovery process, allowing the child to be discharged within two weeks, compared to the usual month-long hospital stay for similar transplants. This operation represents a ground-breaking model for expanding robotic surgery in paediatric care. The technology offers exact control, reduces surgical complications, and enhances overall safety, paving the way for the future development of child-specific robotic surgical systems. This achievement is part of a series of milestones positioning KFSHRC as a global leader in robotic surgery. The hospital previously performed the world's first fully robotic heart transplant and the world's first robotic liver transplant—advancements that garnered attention from both local and international media. These breakthroughs reflect KFSHRC's commitment to pioneering innovative medical solutions and delivering world-class specialized healthcare. The accomplishment also represents a success of the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the key initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030, launched by H.R.H Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister of the Kingdom. It stands as a testament to the quality of healthcare provided to all people in Saudi Arabia. It is noteworthy that KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 15th globally in the list of the world's top 250 Academic Medical Centres for the third consecutive year and recognised as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2025 Brand Finance rankings. Additionally, it was included in Newsweek magazine's World's Best Smart Hospitals list for 2025.
Zawya
29-01-2025
- Health
- Zawya
A year of ground-breaking achievements in organ transplants at KFSHRC
Riyadh: King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) proudly celebrates a year of transformative achievements through its Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence (OTCoE). This reflects its leadership in healthcare innovation and dedication to improving patient lives as it prepares to highlight its groundbreaking contributions to global healthcare at Arab Health 2025 in Dubai. In 2024, KFSHRC's Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence (OTCoE) performed 882 organ transplants, a 6% increase from 2023, securing its position among the top ten transplant centres globally. The hospital's kidney transplant program has surpassed 5,000 transplants since its inception, demonstrating its unparalleled expertise in meeting complex medical demands with precision and care. Building on this foundation of excellence, innovations in robotic surgery defined the year. The world's first fully robotic heart transplant, the world's first living donor left lobe liver transplant, and the Middle East's first robotic pancreas transplant offered transformative solutions for Type 1 diabetes patients. KFSHRC also performed the region's first liver transplant for MNGIE disease, contributing to the treatment of rare medical diseases. Leadership in the paediatric transplant was another highlight of the OTCoE in 2024. Over 100 liver transplants, 80 kidney transplants, and two lung transplants, fostering hope for young patients and their families, placed KFSHRC among the world's top five centres for paediatric transplant procedures. Additionally, its kidney-paired exchange program set a new Guinness World Record with 135 exchanges, optimising donor-recipient matching. Complementing these clinical advancements, KFSHRC maintained high survival and graft rates while expanding its specialized care offerings with a new liver transplant centre in Jeddah and the region's first Fatty Liver Clinic. Strengthening its global presence and commitment to collaboration and innovation in speciality medicine, KFSHRC's OTCoE hosted the inaugural Minimally Invasive Organ Transplant Consensus Conference ( bringing together 80 international experts to provide insights on innovative transplant techniques and set global standards in the field. It is noteworthy that KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally in the list of the world's top 250 Academic Medical Centres for the second consecutive year and has been recognised as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2024 Brand Finance rankings. Additionally, it was included in the World's Best Smart Hospitals list for 2025 by Newsweek magazine. For more information, visit or contact our media team at mediacoverage@
Mid East Info
27-01-2025
- Health
- Mid East Info
Organ Transplantation : A New Era of Infection Control & Ethics
Dr. Reem Almaghrabi's journey into medicine was inspired by her father's encouragement to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Today, as Head of Infectious Diseases in the Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC), Dr. Almaghrabi is a leading figure in infection control within transplant medicine. Known for her blend of scientific rigour and empathy, her work is integral to KFSHRC's mission of delivering innovative, patient-centred care across Saudi Arabia and beyond. Leading research on infection management in transplant patients, Dr. Almaghrabi has shaped novel approaches that reduce complications and enhance patient outcomes. Her studies on gut microbiome in liver transplant patients and infections in organ donors have influenced clinical practices prioritizing safety and long-term patient health. 'In every case, we aim for not just survival but a quality of life that our patients deserve,' she explains. These projects have provided more profound insights into infection dynamics, paving the way for safer, more effective treatments. Dr. Almaghrabi's dedication to improving infection control is evident in her recent discovery of Stenotrophomonas Riyadhensis, a new bacterial species identified through whole-genome sequencing (WGS). This discovery addresses the growing global issue of antibiotic resistance, a particular challenge in high-risk transplant patients. 'Precision is our greatest ally against antibiotic resistance,' Dr. Almaghrabi explains. 'By understanding the specific behaviors of pathogens, we're pioneering ways to keep our patients safer and our care more effective.' One of her close department colleagues emphasizes the significance of her work: 'Dr. Almaghrabi's leadership in leveraging WGS has redefined our infection control standards at KFSHRC, enhancing accuracy in diagnostics and strengthening patient safety.' Her commitment to advancing patient care is also shaped by the challenges she faced throughout her career. One memorable case from her residency involved a young patient with a rapidly spreading skin infection. 'Despite our efforts, the infection progressed, and we had to make the difficult decision to intubate,' she recalls. The experience, though profoundly emotional, strengthened her dedication to improving patient outcomes. Dr. Almaghrabi's approach is deeply grounded in ethics, particularly patient safety and equitable care. She has co-authored studies that examine the ethical challenges surrounding organ transplantation, including issues of socio-economic disparities in access to care. 'We must be vigilant about the implications of each choice in medicine,' she asserts. 'Our role goes beyond clinical care; we are advocates for ethical standards and patient welfare.' As a veteran educator at KFSHRC, Dr Almaghrabi teaches residents and fellows the importance of pairing technical excellence with empathy. 'Teaching allows me to stay at the forefront of advancements while instilling responsibility in the next generation,'' she explains. For her, training future physicians is a blend of building technical expertise and nurturing a commitment to patient-centred care. 'Medicine is not just about procedures; it's about understanding the patient's journey and treating each case with empathy and respect,' she shares. As technology advances, Dr. Almaghrabi is particularly enthusiastic about the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in infectious disease management for complex diagnostics in transplant patients. 'AI offers unprecedented accuracy and speed, both of which are critical in handling infections in transplant patients,' she remarks. Outside of her professional life, Dr. Almaghrabi finds balance through yoga and time in nature. Dr. Almaghrabi's greatest reward comes from serving her country and inspiring young Saudis to pursue their medical dreams. 'Helping patients recover after challenging interventions drives me,' she reflects. 'It's a privilege to serve, and each patient's journey reaffirms the impact we can have, not only in healing but in encouraging the next generation to dream, strive, and achieve.'
