Surgeons in Bahrain performed the country’s first hybrid aortic reconstruction on 15 October. This milestone procedure marked the first time that medical professionals in the kingdom successfully reconstructed the aortic arch and repaired the descending aorta using a hybrid surgical technique. Medical teams completed the procedure at the Mohammed Bin Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa Specialist Cardiac Centre (MKCC). This intervention represents a new capability for the facility, which serves as a primary site for the National Aortic Disease Treatment Programme. The medical staff utilized specialized equipment to manage the complex anatomy of the aorta during the surgery. By combining traditional surgical methods with endovascular techniques, the team aimed to address multiple sections of the vessel in a single event.
The successful completion of this surgery signifies a major development for the Mohammed Bin Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa Specialist Cardiac Centre (MKCC). As the designated primary site for the National Aortic Disease Treatment Programme, the centre is equipped to handle intricate cardiovascular interventions. The use of hybrid surgical techniques allows for a more full approach to treating aortic pathology, enabling the medical team to stabilize the patient while minimizing the invasive nature of the repair.
Collaborative Surgical Expertise Involved
The National Aortic Disease Treatment Programme (NARP) conducted the surgery in cooperation with the University Heart Centre Freiburg in Germany. This collaboration allowed for the exchange of technical knowledge between the two institutions. The procedure was led by Dr Hossam Noor, MKCC chief of medical staff, and Professor Martin Czerny, head of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery and Vascular Medicine at the University Heart Centre Freiburg. Their joint leadership ensured that both traditional open-surgical and advanced endovascular methods were applied effectively during the operation.
This surgical intervention occurred under the Visiting Consultant Programme, an initiative implemented by the Royal Medical Services (RMS) and the Supreme Committee for Treatment Abroad. The programme is designed to bring international specialists to Bahrain to work alongside local teams on high-complexity cases.
Major General Dr Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Royal Medical Services commander and Supreme Committee for Treatment Abroad chairman, stated, "This achievement reflects the expertise, national competencies and advanced capabilities the RMS possesses in managing complex medical cases." He added, "It demonstrates the capabilities of the RMS workforce and its essential role in advancing specialised medical care through collaboration between the national medical team and international experts."
Regarding the long-term impact of the partnership, Major General Dr Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa noted, "This co-operation contributes to strengthening local expertise, establishing advanced surgical techniques within the kingdom and providing patients in Bahrain with access to advanced treatment options." The integration of these advanced surgical techniques into the standard of care at the Mohammed Bin Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa Specialist Cardiac Centre (MKCC) is expected to improve outcomes for patients requiring complex aortic repairs. The Visiting Consultant Programme remains a cornerstone of the strategy adopted by the Royal Medical Services (RMS) and the Supreme Committee for Treatment Abroad to modernize medical delivery in the country.
